Two weeks after her sister’s death, Georgia was feeling wrong. She was getting up, going to school, doing homework and all the other stuff she’d always done. But where there had been goals and meaning, it now felt like endless grey days. And when Georgia was alone, she sought the meaning of existence, but only found an ache, like someone was using a handheld Dyson to suck out her insides … But that’s not the first thing you say when you meet a pal for coffee, so she half smiled and said, ‘Not bad, I guess … You?’

‘Everything’s weird,’ Zac confessed. ‘I looked in Sophie’s wardrobe before I came out. If I throw her stuff away, it’s like I’m throwing her away. But, if I don’t, I’m the creepy guy in a flat full of dead-girlfriend clothes.’

‘Her memorial service was amazing,’ Georgia said. ‘And I really like that she donated her body to science.’

Zac nodded. ‘Your mum seemed less keen …’

‘Nothing makes my mum happy,’ Georgia groaned. ‘If Sophie had a normal cremation, she’d have still found something to moan about.’

‘Is she still staying with you?’

‘No, thank God,’ Georgia said, managing a smile. ‘Mum had a screaming row with Dad the day after the memorial and stormed out. Apparently I always take Dad’s side, so she’s not talking to me either.’

‘How is he?’

‘Dad’s working every waking hour on some presentation. It’s been great having you text and stuff. You feel like the only sane adult in my life.’

Zac gave a flattered smile, then laughed. ‘I’m not that sane … My sleep is messed up and I’ve been drinking more than I should.’

Georgia looked concerned. ‘Really?’

‘I got a written warning at work,’ Zac admitted. ‘One of the paramedic bikes got in a smash and the front brake hasn’t been right since it was repaired. My shift controller ordered me to go out on it and I told her where she could stick the idea …’

‘Surely that’s dangerous,’ Georgia said sympathetically.

Zac nodded. ‘Definitely no fun if your front brake locks at fifty miles an hour. An outside mechanic checked the bike. They agreed I was a hundred per cent right not to ride it. But I still got written up, because the hospital has a zero-tolerance policy on aggressive and threatening behaviour.’

‘Could they sack you?’

Zac shook his head and laughed confidently. ‘They’re massively understaffed. But I’ve got to meet someone from human resources next week. Then I’ll probably have to waste half a day doing an anger-management workshop.’

‘That sucks,’ Georgia said as she opened a menu. ‘I haven’t had lunch. Is the food here OK?’

‘I think they source the bread from a Soviet gulag, so avoid the sandwiches,’ Zac suggested. ‘But Kamila bakes vegan muffins and brownies out back and they’re pretty rock and roll.’