“Annie! Hi!” came Sally’s voice. “Good to hear from you. How’s the new pad?”

“It’s great, actually,” said Annie. “I think I really struck it lucky with this place.”

“Good,” said Sally. “And how’s your brain? Any clearer?”

“It’s a work in progress,” Annie replied. “Listen, I know this might sound weird, but would you fancy joining a Victorian book club? I don’t quite know how it happened but I seem to be hosting one.”

Sally laughed. “Shit the bed, Annie, you really can’t say no to anything, can you!”

“Apparently not,” said Annie. “But in this case, I think my being a pushover might be a positive thing.”

“I agree,” said Sally. “Count me in! My last book club had to be disbanded due to irrevocable political differences.”

“Blimey!” said Annie.

“Yes,” Sally mused. “All got a bit messy toward the end. We should never have pitted the Brontë sisters’ works against each other. Still, you live and learn. And you’d hardly know Olivia’s nose had even been broken now!”

Annie hoped the Victorian book club wouldn’t induce quite such passions. Gemma would be all right, but Maeve and Sally had feisty potential.

“So, what’s the first book?” asked Sally.

“The Woman in White,” said Annie.

“Ah, good old Wilkie,” said Sally. “That’s quite a tome! I read it a few years ago. I’ll dig it out and refresh my memory. When’s the meeting?”

“Next Wednesday evening,” said Annie. “Do you drive? Or will you get a lift?”

“I’ll drive down.”

“Okay, great, I’ll text you directions. When you get to the bottom of the hill, just drive straight along the promenade and stop when you reach the building. There’s a door to the old tearoom on that level, which will be much easier with your chair.”

“And it’s okay to just drive along the promenade?”

“Yes. I e-mailed the council this morning and they said vehicles are allowed for access.”

“How wide is the promenade? My car has a side ramp, I don’t want to be stuck in the car if the walkway is too narrow.”

“It’s thinner in some places than others, but up by the café, where you’ll be parking, is its widest point. Maybe eight meters?”

“Oh, that’s plenty of room. I’m not greedy.”

“Will you need help, with the ramp or anything?”

“Nope, it’s all good. The biggest danger is getting lost and rocking up at the wrong tearoom.”

Annie laughed. “Don’t worry about that, you can’t miss it; there is literally nothing but me and the abyss. You’ll see when you come down.”

“Where on earth have you moved to?” asked Sally, laughing.

—