‘I know I won’t be here when it all finally comes together, but do reserve me a ticket, won’t you? I’d definitely like to come back and see it. Well, to see you too, of course.’

‘Front-row seat already has your name on it, Madi. Not quite the kind of production you’re used to, but …’

‘I’m looking forward to it, and we all had to start somewhere. You should have seen my first time on stage. No, actually, come to think of it, I’m glad you didn’t.’

‘Bad, was it?’

‘Truly appalling. I was only nine, I forgot half my lines, and my long blonde wig fell off in the middle of a scene.’ She lifted her hand to her head. ‘Oh dear. At least that didn’t happen today. God, I’d actually forgotten I was wearing the damn thing.’

‘Shows your confidence is coming back. And it won’t be long now until you can discard it altogether. You know I much prefer you without it anyway. More natural. More you.’

‘Tom, you hardly know me. How can you possibly know what’s the real me?’

‘Oh, I have a pretty good idea. And I like what I see. And I meant it when I told Barb we were friends. Good friends, and I hope we can stay that way after you go back home. Keep in touch. And you did promise me a backstage tour, remember?’

‘If I go back to work.’

‘Oh, you will, Madi. It’s in your blood. I may not know you very well – yet – but I do know that much. You are an actress above all else. Well, apart from being a mother. But there’s absolutely no reason you can’t do both, and do them well. I have faith in you.’

‘Talking of which … Faith. I keep promising I’ll pop in and see her, for tea and cake. I don’t suppose you’d come with me, would you?’

‘Why? Not scared of her, are you?’

‘Not at all. But I watched you sampling the wares at that village produce show and I know how partial you are to cake, that’s all.’

‘Oh, go on then. No time like the present. Let’s go and knock on her door. Those bourbons were okay, but not enough to satisfy a growing lad like me. And Faith does make a great cup of tea.’

Orchard House was just as Madi had imagined it. Big and sprawling, surrounded by lawns and hedges, with an oak front door that creaked as it opened. Faith welcomed them both with awkward hugs and squeals of surprise, and they went inside, with Faith leading the way down a long hall with a high ceiling, past doors that opened into rooms that she could see were full of dark wood furniture, fat squishy armchairs and lots of floral printed cushions and curtains. In the kitchen, a threadbare rug was spread out on a tiled floor in front of the range, where a small white dog lay, tail twitching as he slept.