Tom came out into the street at the first sight of her, as if he had been waiting at the window watching out for her to emerge, and picked up the various bags and bundles gathered at her feet. ‘You should have called me to help you, lugging this lot down the stairs by yourself.’

‘It’s fine, really. Most of it was scattered about downstairs anyway. I’ve left things as tidy as I can. Ideally I should have run the vacuum round and emptied the bins and I haven’t put any of the washing out to dry …’

‘Oh, stop it, woman. I can nip in and sort all that out. Just leave me the keys and I’ll pop them back to young Sian when I’m done.’

He lifted the bags one by one into the boot of Madi’s car, and waited for her to close it. ‘All in? Nothing you’ve left behind? Want to do a final check?’

‘No, all good.’ She yawned, trying to stifle it with the back of her hand. ‘I should be going.’

‘Oh, Madi, look at you. You’re tired before you even set off. Are you sure I shouldn’t drive you?’

‘And leave my car here? That wouldn’t work, would it?’

‘We could go in yours.’

‘And then you’d have all the hassle of getting a train back. Thank you, Tom, really, but I’ll be all right.’

They hovered for a moment, neither of them quite sure how to manage the goodbye, until he stepped forward and pulled her into a gentle hug. ‘I’ll miss you, you know.’

‘You too.’

‘Will you come back, do you think?’

‘I hope so. Maybe next year, if Prue’s up for another swap. If she’s …’

‘She’ll be okay, Madi. She’s a tough young thing. It will take more than some lowlife burglar to bring her down.’

‘Let’s hope you’re right. No doubt I’ll find out soon enough.’

‘Keep in touch. You promised me a backstage theatre visit one day, don’t forget.’

‘Of course. As soon as I’m working again. A front-row seat too, if I can arrange it. And if you find out any more about the fire, do let me know. I’d hate to think it was anything we did, or the kids … Still, that’s not important now. Give my love to Barbara. And think about getting that dog. It’s what she wanted, remember?’

‘And you make peace with that son of yours. Family’s what counts. Those you love. Not much else comes close in the end.’

Chapter 34

I haven’t eaten. I haven’t slept. I haven’t been out.

I’ve listened though. Heard the comings and goings. The ambulance arriving, the banging on the front door, the hurried footsteps on the stairs. That horrible siren wailing as they drove her away. People moving about, talking in shocked voices. Stan rubbernecking in the hall and stirring things, like he always does, going on about security and hooligans and hanging. And later, policemen, or that’s who I think it must have been, ringing on my bell. On everyone’s bells. I ignored it, sat in silence, pretended I wasn’t in. They’ll be back though. I know it.