Sarah drank her tea, but as George and Mo chatted she didn’t listen to their conversation. Instead she was imagining Tommy sitting on his bed, quietly painting, and she felt her eyes well up again.

George immediately noticed and said, ‘Sarah, I’m really not sure about leaving you here.’

‘Honestly, George, I’m fine. Anyhow, it’s about time you got back to work. You’ve lost enough business ’cos of me, and I bet everyone is missing you down the market. I know things aren’t right with you and Roger, but do you think you two can bury the hatchet and make it up? Life’s too short to bear grudges, and I know Roger will be appreciative that you and your mum have looked after me so well.’

Sarah didn’t think George looked very happy at the mention of Roger’s name, but any animosity between them seemed petty and irrelevant now.

‘As long as he treats you right, I haven’t got a problem with Roger,’ George said tersely.

‘Good. Can you let him know I’m home now, please?’

‘Yeah, I suppose so,’ George answered, with obvious reluctance.

‘If you’re staying here, Sarah, you’ll need some shopping in. Would you like me to pop out and pick you up a few bits?’ Mo asked.

‘Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks, Mo, but I think I could do with the fresh air. Would you come with me, though, and tell me all about what you’ve been up to? It might give me something else to think about for a while.’

‘Yes, of course, but we’d better get a move on before the shops shut. What are you doing, George? Are you going to wait here ’til we get back?’

‘No, I’ll leave you to it, if you’re sure, Sarah?’

‘Yes, and thanks for everything, George,’ she said, standing up to hug him. He really had been her rock and good friend, and she didn’t know how she would have coped without him.

‘All right, ladies, I’ll get off now, but I’ll be back on Sunday to pick you up, Sarah. You’re coming to ours for dinner, no arguments.’

‘I don’t know if I’ll feel much like eating, but thanks. I’ll see you then and it will give me a chance to thank your mum for all she’s done,’ Sarah said.

Mo listened to the exchange, and couldn’t wait to get out of Sarah’s room. It felt oppressive, and though she was extremely sorry for Sarah, she hoped she wouldn’t keep harping on about Tommy. She had enough to be worrying about without Sarah’s troubles too.