Jemima blinked in bewilderment, her eyes jolting between them.

‘I’m sorry I shouted at you. I just care for Chance,’ said Azi looking up at Jemima.

‘We both do,’ said Rania putting an arm around her wife. ‘We just want him to be happy.’

‘So do I,’ said Jemima, still clinging to the hope she might add to his happiness not take from it.

‘Do you?’ Azi prodded.

Rania muttered something to Azi in Arabic and she softened. Rani was like the Azi-Whisperer, able to calm even her most skittish outbursts.

‘The thing is, Jem, in our country, it’s not easy to just love who you love,’ Azi said as she wrapped an arm around Rania, resting her head on her shoulder.

Jemima looked on feeling like spare change. It had never occurred to her what these women had given up to be together.

‘How often do you find someone who fits you so well? I just got frustrated because it seemed like you were throwing that away,’ said Azi reaching out and taking Jemima’s hand.

At her touch, almost by osmosis, Jemima could sense what Azi and Rania had experienced by simply loving each other – the obstacles, the judgements, the fear. Jemima knew only fragments of their story but enough to realise, if people around the world were suffering as they had, only a fool would turn away from love when their path was clear.

‘Do you know where he is?’ Jemima asked, her intent rekindling.

Azi shook her head. ‘He’s gone, darling. Took a flight to Mexico to be with his brother.’

‘Azi…’ said Rania before being nudged silent.

Jemima’s legs gave way beneath her and she fell back into her chair. He hadn’t even said goodbye. She buried her head in her hands as the load of another self-created disaster bore down on her. For the first time, she had allowed herself to care for this good, patient, kind and funny man who celebrated her, lifted her up rather than projecting his own insecurities onto her, loved passionately, was unafraid of his emotions and Jemima had blown it.

‘Azi?’ said Rania, now a scolding tone in her voice.

‘Well at least we know how she feels about him!’ Azi said planting herself next to Jemima, brimming with excitement.

‘He hasn’t gone to Mexico. He’s on a training course in Welwyn Garden City and he’ll be back this afternoon. We’ve got a package for him. He’ll be coming in to collect it. Wait for him, angel. Don’t go anywhere.’

Jemima looked from Azi to Rania not knowing what to believe.

‘Are you serious?’ she said.

‘I am, darling. I’m sorry. You know I’ve got a horrible sense of humour,’ said Azi.

Rania nodded, her face testament to the many pranks and wind-ups she’d endured over the years.

‘I’m sorry I was cross with you. We love you, Jem. We want you to be happy too,’ said Azi as she threw her arms around her.

Jemima hugged her back as Rania patted the two of them.