After work it was still raining. I dashed through the rush-hour to pick up my car, tensing in anticipation as I neared the flat. I hoped fervently the painter I’d called had made it while I was at work.

Rounding the corner, I saw the foul graffiti had been covered. But, sliding the key into the lock, I was sure I could still see the shadow of those words through the fresh cream paint that smelled so strong, and I fled through the front door as quickly as I could.

Grabbing the car-keys from the bowl, I tried not to mind about the distinct lack of flashing lights on my answer-phone. Despite Seb’s call to the police on my behalf, the fact I hadn’t heard from him since we’d parted yesterday was compounding the increasingly sick feeling I had with myself. I really wasn’t ready to start worrying about a new man ringing me; I wanted to be strong, free and single. I caught my eye in the mirror and nodded at myself coolly, like the strong, free, single woman I was. The phone rang. I leapt on it as if it were a live thing about to escape.

‘Hello?’

‘Goodness, Maggie, you sound a bit breathless.’

Crashing disappointment, followed by a creeping sense of disquiet.

‘How did you get this number?’

Fay laughed breathily. ‘You’re always so suspicious, Maggie. Honestly! You gave it to me when we met a while ago. Don’t you remember?’

I wrinkled my forehead. ‘No, I don’t.’

‘Anyway, it’s only a quickie. I’m sorry about our little spat. I never saw you at Love All. Are you avoiding me?’

‘Oh.’ I thought about Seb’s lips on mine and I blushed. ‘I never made it inside actually. Something, er, something came up.’ I smiled to myself. Oh yes, it had most definitely come up.

‘It was very good, you know, the film. But look, never mind. I was just ringing to tell you I’ve forgiven you and we’re having our first meeting next Monday.’

I felt a sudden pain.

‘Do you want to come? I wish you would.’

I realised I was clutching the car-keys so hard they were digging into the soft flesh of my palm. ‘What meeting?’

‘You know, the trauma survivors’ meeting. I’d love it if you came.’

‘Fay, I don’t want to be rude again, but I thought I’d made it pretty clear I’m not interested.’

‘Oh, I know you said that, but a girl can change her mind, can’t she?’

I glanced at the clock and pulled myself together. ‘I’ve got to go, Fay. My grandmother’s expecting me.’