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I shake my head. ‘Not really. I just don’t know how long he’s going to be with me here.’

‘That’s hard. If it’s any help, I’m thinking of looking for work in the area,’ says Horse. ‘Stick around a bit, see a bit more of Will. Be there as much as I can, if it’s okay with you.’

‘That’s great. I know he’ll love that.’

‘I feel I let him down in some way, not being able to step in when I was needed. I should’ve been able to. I’ve just been on the road for so long, job to job . . . life, and putting down roots, seems to have passed me by. But between us, we can be there for him until his family is found. We’ll make it work.’

‘That could be good. I know he’d love to see more of you.’

He smiles at me. I know that Willow will like the plan, and I will too, I realize. I like Horse being here. I love the energy he brings with him when he visits the farm, even if it is just for now. Just until Christmas.

The following day, I ring the agent and confirm all the details for the sale of the farm. I accept the offer from Scarlett and Luke, exchange solicitors’ details and try not to think about the trees being ripped up and the milking parlour going for good. I finish the call and tap the corner of the phone thoughtfully to my bottom lip when Willow appears, showered and with wet, combed hair. I put the phone down and smile at him.

‘Well, don’t you look smart,’ I say.

‘I wanted to look nice for meeting Ayesha.’

‘And you do,’ I tell him. Lara got this meeting organized quickly, as she thought Willow would benefit from seeing Ayesha.

Lara and Horse arrive practically at the same time. There is some discussion about which car we should take, but in the end we agree that the Land Rover will be best. Horse wouldn’t fit in the back of Lara’s car.

We follow the satnav off the main road, making our way along narrow lanes lined with trees that are now bare. Eventually we turn in through a pair of listing white metal gates and head up a long drive towards an old manor house that has definitely seen better days.

I pull up on the grass verge which looks to be the only parking, and we all get out of the car. From here we can see a long conservatory on the front of the house. Inside, a number of residents sit in the early winter sunshine; some of them appear to be sleeping, curled up under blankets, while others are watching the world go by.

As we walk up to the big front door, Willow slips his hand into mine. Lara rings the bell and explains into the intercom who we are. The door unlocks with a clunk, and Horse pushes it open and lets us all in.

The heat hits us first, and then the smell: a strong odour of disinfectant. I hold onto Willow’s hand, hoping this won’t be too difficult for him. We look around the entrance hall. There’s an office, but no one’s inside.

Nearby, an elderly gentleman dozes in an armchair, his glasses sliding down his face to the tip of his nose, about to fall. Willow steps forward and gently takes the glasses off, folds them and puts them in the man’s lap, then comes back to me. My heart swells at his kindness, but it also reminds me of what he’s seen and the caring responsibilities he’s taken on over his short life for people who really should have been looking after him.

‘Hello,’ says a voice from down the corridor. A lovely, smiling woman emerges from a doorway and approaches us, taking off a plastic apron.

‘Hello,’ says Horse. ‘I rang earlier. We’ve come to visit Ayesha.’

‘Ah, yes. My name is Nadiya,’ says the woman. ‘You must be Horse?’ She smiles at the rest of us. ‘I’m the manager here.’

‘This is Gwen,’ Horse says, indicating me, ‘and Willow, and Lara. Gwen is Willow’s kinship carer, Lara his social worker and guardian, and I’m a friend of the family – Ayesha’s family.’

‘Lovely to meet you all,’ Nadiya says. I see her eyes linger just for a moment on Horse. ‘Follow me, and I’ll take you to see her. She’s up and dressed but has been having a nap, I think.’

As we make our way up the stairs, I can smell cooking.

‘What’s on the menu today?’ I ask, making conversation.

‘Oh, it’s steamed fish with mash and peas.’

I look down at Willow, who grimaces, making me laugh.

‘We cater for all tastes here,’ Nadiya says. ‘It can mean a lot to a resident to remember a flavour or a meal from their past, whether from growing up or their adult life. Something they used to make, or something made for them. It makes them feels safe. Fish and chips is always popular, followed by trifle. Roast chicken on Sunday, followed by apple crumble. It’s curry tomorrow, my own family recipe.’ She smiles. ‘Curry night is a favourite with lots of the residents. Ayesha for one.’

We stop at a door and Nadiya opens it.

‘Come in. Ayesha, you have visitors,’ she says, holding the door open for us, and we file in.

Ayesha is sitting in a chair beside her bed. Her hair is white and she looks like an old lady, although I know she isn’t really elderly; maybe ten years older than I am. About the same age as Horse.

‘She may not recognize you, but just chat as you usually would. She’ll enjoy you being here,’ says Nadiya, and Lara thanks her.