I lit a cigarette and inhaled hard. ‘Let’s cut the crap, shall we, Fay? Ever since I met you, you’ve been following me around. Were you in Battersea an hour or two ago?’

She winced as if I’d just poked her in the eye. ‘Battersea? No, why? What do you mean, following you?’

‘Oh, don’t be so obtuse.’

She stared at me, all hurt.

‘It means awkward,’ I said.

‘I know what it means, thank you, Maggie.’ Her little chin jutted into the air.

‘Look, Fay,’ I took it down a notch or two, ‘it’s just, ever since we met on the show –’

‘On the coach, really, Maggie.’

‘We didn’t, though, did we? I didn’t know you existed till I saw you sitting in that studio. And just because we were both on that sodding coach, and the stupid thing crashed, it doesn’t mean we are soul sisters now. Perhaps I did turn you over when you choked on your own blood, but I still can’t remember it. Even if your hair is like mine now, it doesn’t mean I’m looking for a new best friend.’ I ladled sugar into my coffee. Then some more. ‘Especially not one who’s decided to start seeing my ex.’

‘I’m not seeing him. I wouldn’t do that to you, Maggie.’

‘Why not?’ I snapped, grinding out my cigarette. ‘You don’t owe me anything, Fay. I don’t want to be horrible, but all I want is … all I ask is that you leave me alone. You’re freaking me out. All this turning up everywhere I go.’

‘Where? What do you mean?’

‘What do you mean where?’ I wailed. ‘For fuck’s sake, Fay. At parties, at my work, at my bloody flat the day it’s broken into. It’s a bit coincidental, isn’t it? And more than a bit bloody weird. Have you been stalking me? Do you hate me for some reason? Did you cut my picture out of all my family photos and leave them with my grandmother?’

‘No, of course not.’ She stared at me, wounded to the core. ‘Why would I? I love you.’

‘Oh my God,’ I moaned, slumping forward, my head in my hands now. ‘Please, Fay.’

‘Not love you like that.’ She patted my hand with her little paw. ‘Just in a caring way, silly. That’s what I’ve been learning with my Survivors’ group. Don’t blame, just forgive.’

‘Forgive?’

‘Not you. Just generally.’

‘Great. Well, you’ll forgive me then for asking you to stay the hell away from me.’ I took a massive swig of coffee and burnt my mouth. I was rarely this brutal with anyone but I’d reached my snapping point. I couldn’t look at her as I said, ‘And if you want to date Alex, that’s fine – but I don’t want to know about it, okay?’