Simi was almost giddy from saying what she’d felt so deeply but had never before articulated.

‘After I slept with Mo, I finally got what Meagan has been talking about – the boundaries, how people treat you, men, the hunt – all of it,’ Simi said.

‘Did Mo say something?’

‘Kind of. Early on, he said he loved dating and it’s only just clicked. I thought that meant he would love to date me, so I slept with him but he literally meant he loves going on dates – with different people.’

‘Then he’s a scallywag, Sim. That’s not your fault,’ interjected Jemima.

‘Yes, it is. He told the truth it’s just I wanted him to want me so badly, I didn’t listen, not properly. Just like with Terry and then Oscar, I heard and saw what I wanted. You see, desperate,’ said Simi.

The women looked at each other. This was huge for Simi.

‘Jem,’ she said at last.

‘Yeah,’ said Jemima, leaning forward, concerned.

‘I think we need to open this now.’

Simi grabbed an unopened bottle of red from the coffee table.

Jemima laughed, holding up two empty glasses. ‘You read my mind.’

Simi popped the cork and poured the wine while Jemima shook popcorn into a bowl.

‘My dad left when I was 7. I’m 35. So, when you ask, did I know if my behaviour with Terry was strange, no, I didn’t. I was just looking in the wrong place for what I’d lost a long time ago,’ said Simi taking a big sip of wine.

Finally, she could see that her entire relationship profile, her outlook on love, her longing for a man had all been shaped by the absence of just one.

‘Babe,’ said Jemima kissing Simi on the cheek, ‘you’re amazing and I bet you’ll find someone great who deserves you.’

‘I wish for it every day,’ said Simi.

‘Then it will happen,’ said Jemima offering up her glass. ‘And it’ll happen because you’re ready – not because you think you need it.’

‘Cheers,’ said Simi tapping her glass against Jemima’s, ‘but maybe I should have a time-out from boys? Remember what came up when we read each other’s auras. You said it yourself – a break.’

‘I suppose,’ said Jemima. ‘Look, darling, whatever you need, I’m on board.’

‘Thanks, lovely,’ Simi said, resting her head on Jemima’s shoulder. ‘What’s your wish?’

Right away, Simi could feel Jemima squirm.

‘I…’

‘You know I mean about love, right?’ said Simi, playful but firm.

She wasn’t going to allow Jemima to side-step the question as she normally did.

‘I know.’ Jemima nodded.

Simi searched her face for a clue. Clearly she was wrestling with something. ‘Just say it. I promise, I won’t tell.’

Jemima caught Simi’s gaze and straight away, Simi felt the weight of Jemima’s sadness.

‘I want someone who makes me want to keep my feet on the ground,’ Jemima said.

‘I knew it!’ Simi whispered. ‘You will meet that person. I promise you.’