‘What on earth’s this?’ Jo asked.

‘A revenge gift!’ replied Liz with a smile.

Jo began to unwrap the layers of tissue until she uncovered a bright purple rubber object, about six inches long, shaped like some kind of tree or cactus without the spikes, with what seemed to be a small animal climbing up the side. Perhaps it was a koala bear?

It was Liz’s favourite hobby to go to every artist’s open house in the area, and Jo assumed she’d bought this at one of them.

‘Right.’ Jo tried to sound enthusiastic. ‘Does it go on the mantelpiece?’

‘I sincerely hope not,’ smirked Liz, reaching out and pressing a white button on the side of the trunk that had escaped Jo’s notice. The object began to buzz loudly and jump about. ‘It’s a Happy Rabbit!’

‘What on earth is a Happy Rabbit?’ Jo enquired.

‘A vibrator, you nitwit! You’ll never have to think of Mark ever again once you discover one of these! Guaranteed!’ Liz produced the beatific smile of a highly satisfied customer. ‘Off home with you. I have to go out. I’ll pick you up at six a.m. on Tuesday and drop you out to the airport. Have fun with the rabbit!’

Three

‘Jo! Over here!’ Steph shouted, jumping up and down and waving like a windmill to the astonishment of the other travellers at the tiny local airport.

Rather than sending David, Stephanie and Meredith hadn’t been able to resist meeting their old friend themselves. As soon as she came through the barrier they both flung themselves at her and Jo, determined to keep her cool and not bleat on about how crap she was feeling, found herself dissolving into tears mixed with giggles of delight at being in the company of her oldest friends.

Meredith insisted on taking her pull-along bag and the two of them put their arms round her as they walked her to the small car park.

‘Welcome to la belle France!’ Steph smiled, gesturing around her.

‘I can’t tell you how delighted I am to be here,’ Jo said, allowing herself to be led along. How wonderful to be looked after and not have to make any decisions for a while.

‘We’ve planned a full programme for today,’ Meredith announced briskly, rather as if she were announcing the agenda to a business meeting.

‘Unless you want to have a little lie down,’ Steph interjected, knowing everyone wasn’t made of the same steel as Meredith and that Jo certainly wouldn’t have enjoyed the luxury of business class. ‘You must have got up very early.’

‘I did, but my lovely neighbour Liz drove me to Luton Airport.’

‘I like the sound of this Liz,’ Steph grinned. ‘You’ll have to bring her with you next time.’