“We remember it completely differently,” I said, “what happened.”

“What did happen?”

In a gush of self-pity: “He thought I was going to have an abortion! He says I told him I was.”

She thought for a moment. “Did you?”

“I might have.” My eyes watered in the wind. “If I did, I didn’t mean it.”

“Well, he’s the one who knocked you up. Women always get the blame.”

“He says he kept calling me and coming by, but I refused to see him.”

“Why would he keep calling and coming by?”

“He might have changed his mind.”

“About . . . ?”

“Yes! We could have been together after all.”

She turned her gaze to the far shore, where the low tide lapped at spots of bright plastic among the stones. “Are you sure about that?”

“It was my fault, Alison! I really think it was my fault Maddy didn’t grow up with her father. How am I supposed to live with that?”

“That’s assuming you stayed together. It could have gone wrong any time along the way.”

I had not entertained this possibility. “He has children now,” I said. “Boys.”

“Of course he does! And a trophy wife, I bet.”

“Should I try to meet them?”

She retorted: “How would I know!”

I came to my senses and seized her arm. “I’m sorry, Alison. I’m so sorry. Forgive me. I don’t know what I was thinking. Come on. We’ll be late.” We set off against the flow of oncoming bridge walkers. “Remember, you’re in charge of this interview. I’m taking a backseat. Do you have your questions ready?”

“In my head.”

“In your head? If I were you, I’d take along some notes. Just in case.”

“Who did you say was in charge?”

“You are. You are.” I halted. “Did you hear that?”

“What?”

“That woman in the blue coat. She said: ‘The point at which I’m getting all my organs stolen, I can’t afford to . . .’ ”

Alison laughed. “Do you always eavesdrop on people?”

“What do you suppose she can’t afford to do?”

“Ask her. I’ll ask!”

The woman shook her head at this odd American and her cup of peanuts. I could see Alison did not mind in the least making a fool of herself. She returned in high spirits. “The nerve! She wouldn’t tell me.”

•  •  •

The curator of public programs rose and touched her fingertips to the table. “I’m afraid I have to go. Sadly. I’ll leave you in Ian’s capable hands. I hope you’ve come away with something useful?”