“My nephew and I,” said the woman. “He’s helping me with the details.”

—

When Annie arrived back at the hotel, the receptionists were changing shifts. The lady relinquishing her responsibility for the front desk smiled as Annie entered the lobby, and Annie saw that her name badge read Sally.

“Hi,” said Annie. “I’m Annie Sharpe. Thank you so much for the wine and chocolates. It was really kind of you. It was just the tonic I needed.”

“You’re welcome,” said Sally. “There’s not much that booze and chocolate can’t fix.” And then, emboldened by her foray into the world of flat hunting, Annie did something quite out of character.

“I’d like to buy you a drink,” she said. “Have you got to rush off?”

Sally beamed at her and backed her wheelchair out from behind the desk.

“There’s nothing that can’t wait!” said Sally.

—

The conversation flowed easily. Annie had already blurted most of the excruciating details of Max’s infidelity over the phone to Sally, so there was no need for polite coyness now.

Annie guessed that Sally was a bit older than her, with cropped dark hair and an elfin face. As they chatted, Annie discovered that Sally had been divorced twice and had a grown-up son and daughter. Her current partner was a wonderful woman called Susan, but neither of them was keen to go down the marriage route again.

“There is nothing quite like that feeling when you find out your beloved has cheated on you,” said Sally, as they settled into their second glasses of wine at the hotel restaurant. “It’s like being punched in the chest. Knocks the wind right out of you.”

Annie nodded. “And how stupid you feel!” said Annie. “Like, how did I not know? How did our greengrocer guess and I didn’t?”

“The greengrocer knew?”

“About the second one, yes. He kept seeing Max ducking in and out of the flat above the bank, from his shop window. He’d known my parents; I guess he felt loyalty bound to tell me.”

“I love a loyal greengrocer,” said Sally, which made Annie guffaw into her wine. “And yet you went back for more!” said Sally. “I kicked my first husband out the moment I found out. That was it. Over. Nobody does that to me.”

“God, you’re so together,” said Annie.

“It’s not about being together,” said Sally. “It’s about knowing your worth. I was worth more than being cheated on. My mum drilled it into me as far back as I can remember, she always said, ‘Sally, people are going to try to take advantage of you because of your chair. Know your worth, my girl.’ ”

“Your mum sounds amazing,” said Annie.

“She is,” said Sally. “Hard as nails and soft as play dough!”