I’d met Leah through work. She was a financial accountant but volunteered as a tour guide at the museum during weekends. Shortly after Dad died, I’d been leaving the museum with her one Saturday evening when my landlord rang to tell me that he was selling up and emigrating to New Zealand. I went into full panic-mode about where I was going to live and Leah insisted I accompany her to the pub before rushing into any renting decisions I might regret, especially as her twin sister and their cousin – who she was meeting for a drink – might be able to help with my predicament.

The three of them shared a four-bedroom flat that Drew had inherited from an auntie on the other side of the family. They’d recently said goodbye to their fourth flatmate – an acquaintance of Drew’s who stole their food, smoked in the flat, used all the hot water, refused to do any cleaning and generally epitomised the most irritating flatmate ever – and were half-heartedly looking for a replacement so they could afford to re-fit the kitchen. As soon as I met them, it was like being among old friends. They insisted I see the flat before I agreed to move in but I already knew that I wanted them as flatmates, even if the flat was a bit rough round the edges, and it had been the best decision ever. There was always laughter and banter in our flat, just like there’d always been in Bear’s Pad after Dad left and we moved to Little Sandby.

‘What time’s lover boy finally planning to put in an appearance?’ Drew asked.

He didn’t like Scott and, unfortunately, the feeling was mutual. They’d stared at each other over breakfast the morning after I met Scott (the meal had gone very well!) before Drew retired to his bedroom with his cereal, not re-appearing until Scott had left.

I asked him about the strange atmosphere but he said he couldn’t put his finger on what was wrong other than that he didn’t trust Scott. It unnerved me because Drew was usually a good judge of character, but then I’d reminded myself that he’d thought that my predecessor would make a great flatmate when he clearly hadn’t.

I confronted Scott too but he said he’d only been off with Drew because Drew had been giving him the evils which was true. I decided to accept it as one of those things and hope that they’d tolerate each other, even if they never became friends.

‘Scott will be here at about nine,’ I said. ‘Play nicely.’

‘I always play nicely.’

‘You do not!’ cried Tiff. ‘You either blank him or you give him the Spanish Inquisition!’

Drew pulled a shocked and hurt expression. ‘Me?’