‘Yes, I am,’ said Tara. ‘And Toby’s your half-brother.’

‘And Lloyd is your half-dog.’

‘I wouldn’t go that far, Molly.’ Tara put her phone down. She wasn’t going to get this necklace listed any time soon, she could tell. ‘Do you want a cup of tea?’

‘Yes, please!’

Tara put the biscuit jar on the table, and made them both a cup of tea.

Molly nibbled a chocolate digestive (Tara had no idea about whether this was bad or not, and it wasn’t as if Keith had left instructions) then said, ‘Tara?’

‘Yes?’

‘What star sign are you?’

‘I’m a Pisces.’

‘Ooh.’ Molly’s face lit up. ‘That’s why you’re a counsellor! Because you’re empathetic and caring, and you have a natural desire to help people!’

‘Not exactly,’ said Tara. She’d already had the full character assessment from the short-lived astrologer at the Wellness Centre, Roddy. It had been part of his interview process; Jacqueline had been starry-eyed, literally, about his description of her astral blessings. ‘I’m a counsellor because I never got round to finishing my legal training to become a family law solicitor. There was a job going as an advisor and I like helping people so … it went from there.’

She drifted into it, in other words. Totally Piscean, according to Roddy.

Molly nodded as if she’d said something very profound.

‘I’m not a proper Piscean, anyway,’ Tara went on. She wished her brain would retain information about the EU or world religions, instead of silting itself up with this nonsense, but it was impossible. ‘Apparently I’ve got Taurus rising. That makes me predictable and fond of steak.’

‘And wine.’ Molly nodded, affirmingly. ‘And luxury. But in a good way. You seek comfort over risk. And you might have problems with your neck or throat.’

‘How do you know all this?’ It was startlingly close to what Roddy had said. And he’d self-published three books about how to run your life using this gobbledegook.

‘I’m really into astrology,’ Molly explained. ‘Mum’s friend Angelina is teaching me how to read charts. She’s a shaman. And a kinesiologist.’

‘Wow.’ What else could she say to that? ‘And do you know everyone’s star signs?’

She nodded. ‘Daddy’s a Leo, and Mummy’s a Scorpio, with Pisces rising, and her Moon in Cancer.’

Was that good? Or a terrible combination? Tara had passively absorbed some basic astrology from the never-ending astro-analysis in the kitchen between Hero and Anji and Kasia, who claimed to be able to ‘divine’ people’s star signs from their faces. She usually left before they could start on her ‘fishy’ face.

‘It’s not the greatest combination.’ Molly sighed. ‘If I knew what time Daddy was born he might turn out to have a better rising sign. Do you know?’ she added hopefully. ‘He says he doesn’t, and that Grandma Hunter wouldn’t either.’