Jackie—the second estate agent—was about Annie’s age but had a far smaller bottom. Annie soon found herself telling Jackie about her marriage breakdown. It was strange; she couldn’t seem to stop telling people about it. As someone who had previously been a very private person, she found it odd that she was suddenly struck with the urge to overshare with anyone who would listen. It was, she supposed, kind of therapeutic.

The building was a grand Victorian villa, slightly run-down but with charm. A cloud of grass smoke plumed out of the first-floor window and floated down over the two women.

“That takes me back!” said Annie.

“You and me both,” said Jackie.

“Maybe we should knock and ask for some,” said Annie.

“I can’t afford the calories from the munchies that would follow,” said Jackie.

And that’s why you’ve got the smaller bottom, thought Annie.

Before they’d even reached the second-floor flat—Jackie kept up a lively conversation as they climbed, while Annie concentrated on breathing and tried not to go into cardiac arrest—their ears were assaulted by a pounding music so loud it shook the stairwell. The two women turned on the stairs and went straight back down.

The next flat was in a 1960s block, uninspiring but practical and close to the town.

“It’s just such a big step,” said Annie.

“Not really,” said Jackie. “Rent it for six months and see how you feel! Or rent it for six months and spend that time looking for something you’d really like. You’ve made the biggest leap by leaving your husband and restaurant; the rest is easy!”

“It doesn’t feel easy,” said Annie.

“That’s because you’re thinking about it too deeply. This is a stepping-stone. Six months is nothing.”

“I’ll think on it,” said Annie.

“Don’t think too long!” said Jackie.

Chapter 7

It was early evening and the sun was low in the sky, but the air held late-summer warmth. People enjoyed the after-work sun with a glass of wine and friends in chairs and tables laid out in front of cafés and bars.

Annie sat at a round bistro table that looked out over the bandstand and the quaint little run of shops beyond. The waiter took her order, and Annie absentmindedly picked up a discarded copy of the local paper that lay on one of the chairs.