Almost Forever: An emotional debut perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes. Laura Danks

in front of a double door and said, ‘Sorry I’ve forgotten your name.’ She was looking at me expectantly so when I hesitated Becca nudged me slightly with her elbow.

      ‘Francesca,’ I said. ‘But everybody calls me Fran.’

      ‘Well, Fran, nice to meet you. I hope you’ll enjoy yourself. We have all sort of toys and books and movies and video games too, so I’m sure we’ll find something to keep you entertained.’

      I nodded.

      ‘Also, knowing that you were coming the boys have requested an extra special casse-croûte – and that’s no ordinary snack,’ she added with a wink. ‘I promise you are in for a real treat.’

      I nodded again, slightly dazzled by what she had said. She winked at Becca and then turned to open the tall double doors in front of us. ‘This is the playroom,’ she said, wobbling in.

      The room, a large and airy double-high extension, was deserted.

      ‘I think the boys are in the garden. It’s such a lovely day – I’m pleased they’re outside enjoying the sun.’ She slowly hopped her way towards the folding French doors that were opened wide. Outside I could see a lush garden stretching below the stony patio.

      I took a 360-degree turn to get a better feel for the space. An unexpected contrast to the entrance hall, this place was loaded with so many gadgets they sent my head spinning. Everything in here was so modern it felt as if we’d been catapulted from another era into the future. There was a games console positioned near a humongous TV screen. In front of it there was a big, plush corner sofa as well as several beanbags scattered on the floor. A floor to ceiling bookshelf that looked like it was built into the back wall was packed with DVDs, video games, books, and comics. Becca was obviously as astounded by the space as I was.

      Neither of us had a mobile phone and we still didn’t have any Internet at home, not even dial-up. The only video games we ever played were at the arcade when we went on holiday to Cromer. This place was like the Kennedy Space Center in comparison to our house.

      ‘Let’s go,’ Becca said and nudged me along when I stopped in front of the laptop on a small desk in the corner. I walked through the French doors, and when I stepped outside, the sun was shining over a manicured lawn. Tall trees, scrub, and tended rose bushes contoured the garden. This house was a constant source of surprises as the garden extended far beyond what I had imagined possible for an estate in the centre of Cambridge.

      ‘Wow,’ I breathed, looking at the wooden swing attached to the centenary oak to my left.

      There was laughter coming from the gazebo and that was exactly where Sara was heading. ‘Robert! Harry! Look who’s here!’ she bellowed and that was when I spotted two children who answered her with a loud ‘Hello’ and an enthusiastic waving of arms.

      When we reached them, I stood a foot away hiding slightly behind Becca. A little boy was sitting cross-legged on a cushion on the decking beside his brother. They both looked straight at me.

      ‘Hey, Rob!’ said Sara, bending down near the youngest of the two boys.

      ‘Mummy’s here! Mummy’s here!’ he chanted full of excitement as if that was a rare and extraordinary event. I watched an enormous grin appear on his face as he pointed at a beautiful woman gracefully sitting on one of the rattan sofas behind him. My gaze fell on her and from that moment I was not capable of diverting my eyes.

      She was sitting still but her sinuous pose gave her a sense of fluidity as if she was in motion. She had long legs, long arms, long fingers, long eyelashes. I couldn’t quite stop looking at her full lips and her big hazelnut-coloured eyes. Her skin was pale and tanned at the very same time, a perfect complement to her eyes and her beautiful chestnut hair. I’d never seen anyone like her. She belonged in a movie.

      ‘Oh! Hello, Josephine, you look great this morning. How are you feeling?’ said Sara sitting down on the decking and stretching the leg in the cast in front of her.

      ‘Much better, thank you. Certainly better than you,’ Josephine answered with a smile.

      ‘I’m never going to live this down,’ Sara said, glancing at us.

      Josephine followed Sara’s gaze and trained her eyes on us, looking at Becca first and then at me.

      ‘Becca, Fran,’ Sara said somewhat pompously. ‘It’s my pleasure to introduce you to the most famous French “first ballerina” of all time, Josephine Du Pasquier – also known as Mrs A. FitzRoy.’

      ‘Sara,’ said Josephine as if reprimanding her but her tone betrayed her affection.

      I watched their exchange with surprise. They behaved like old friends and not employer and employee.

      ‘Nice to meet you, Becca and Fran,’ said Josephine.

      ‘Nice to meet you too,’ Becca answered while I mumbled the same words, unsure of what to do next. The older of the two brothers stood up and walked to me. ‘I’m Harry,’ he said, offering me his hand.

      ‘Hi,’ I answered, shaking it gently. ‘I’m Fran,’ I said, blushing.

      ‘I think it may be easier if I make proper introductions,’ said Josephine, taking the attention back onto herself. I was really glad she did.

      ‘First of all, please call me Josephine. Mrs FitzRoy is just so awfully formal,’ she said and then patted the space next to her. ‘Come and sit down here,’ she suggested so we humoured her and sat on the sofa. ‘These are my children,’ she said when we were comfortably settled. ‘Robert is the youngest of my boys. He’s only just turned three. Harry here is nine, and right over there, rocking a “moody teenager” demeanour a few years ahead of schedule, is Paul. He’s really only eleven and will be starting senior school in September,’ she said, ostensibly mocking him though her voice dripped with pride.

      ‘Hello,’ he said, turning away from the book on his lap only for a second, but when our eyes met I felt a strange curiosity towards him and the book he was reading. Josephine and Becca started to chat with Sara. Harry went to play football with Robert. I declined his invite to go with them.

      While half listening to the grown-up conversation, I kept my eyes on Paul. Slowly, I started to shuffle towards the armrest so that soon enough I was able to look over Paul’s shoulder as he sat on the deck with his back against the side of the sofa. I watched him in silence for a few seconds, but then curiosity took over.

      ‘What are you reading?’ I asked, unable to think of a better approach.

      He turned to look at me. ‘Are you into books?’ he asked instead of answering my question.

      I nodded enthusiastically, hoping he would like that we had that in common.

      ‘It’s new. You probably don’t know this author,’ he said. ‘The book only came out a few weeks ago,’ he added and I felt my cheeks burning. He kept his eyes on me so I rushed to say the first thing I could think of.

      ‘I may know who he is, if you tell me his name,’ I said lifting my shoulders.

      ‘J.K. Rowling,’ he said and then waited for my reaction.

      ‘Oh … I don’t know him,’ I said deflated.

      ‘She is a woman, and as I said she is a new author – not many people have read this book,’ he answered. Then turning slightly, he added, ‘I only just started it myself.’

      ‘Sure, sure,’ I stammered, worried that he thought I wanted to take his book from him. ‘It’s your book. I was just asking …’ I tried to sound reassuring but when he shook his head, I worried I was going to get in trouble.

      ‘I really only just started it,’ he explained. ‘So, I mean, if you want you can read it with me. You know … together … but only if you want,’ he said.

      I couldn’t keep the surprise from showing on my face.

      ‘So? Do you