Grace glanced at the screen on her mobile; seeing that it was almost time for an afternoon cuppa, she put Connie’s diary away and closed her unit for another day before heading over to the office. She pushed open the door and almost jumped right out of her skin when she was greeted with a rainbow stream of party poppers. Red, yellow, blue and green confetti shot high up in the air before cascading down onto her head and shoulders.

‘Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Grace, happy birthday to you,’ chorused Betty and Larry, and Betty’s friend, Maggie, from the knit and natter group and who worked in the coroner’s office. A silver and purple hologram banner with ‘Happy Birthday’ on it was pinned to the wall by Grace’s desk, and Betty was holding an enormous triple-layered birthday cake smothered in pastel pink icing and big ‘three’- and ‘five’-shaped candles on top.

‘Remember to make a wish, sweetheart.’ Betty put the cake down on Grace’s desk and clapped her hands together in delight.

‘Wow. Oh my goodness. Thank you,’ Grace said, momentarily dazed. It was her birthday today and – until now – it had been just like any other day. Her mother had forgotten; Grace figured she must have, as she hadn’t mentioned it, not even to say happy birthday. Of course, Grace appreciated that Cora wasn’t mobile and so couldn’t go out herself and buy a card, and she really didn’t expect that, but an acknowledgment would have been nice. Phil hadn’t been at the bus stop either, and she hadn’t liked to arrive at work and announce it herself to Larry and Betty, so this wonderful surprise felt even more special. ‘It’s amazing,’ she beamed, cupping her hands up under her chin and willing herself not to get teary as she looked at Larry and Betty, their kindness emanating from them and making her feel overcome with emotion.

Grace looped her hair up into a quick bun and after closing her eyes and making a wish – Please let Mum win the scratchcard jackpot so we can both be happy – her at the Savoy, and me on a spa break with a cocktail in one hand and my feet firmly up on a lounger – she blew out the candles. Larry, Betty and Maggie all clapped, and after Betty had handed them each an exceedingly generous slice of cake on a pink paper plate with a matching napkin, she fished in her handbag and pulled out an envelope.

‘A present from Larry and me,’ she said, handing the envelope to Grace.

‘Oh, thank you so much,’ Grace said, swallowing her mouthful of cake and then putting the plate on her desk. ‘But you really didn’t need—’