‘Don’t be ridiculous, Patty,’ Faith butted in. ‘Madi does plays. Proper plays, on the stage. She wasn’t in any soap.’

‘Actually, I was.’

Four eyes swivelled her way.

‘Oh, how thrilling. A real TV star in our midst.’ Patty piled the biscuits onto a flowery plate and held it out towards Madi, her hand shaking with excitement. ‘Please, take two. Oh, isn’t that what they say when they’re filming? With one of those little clapperboard things. Lights, camera, action. Take two!’

They all laughed.

‘Oh, do let me do your hair while you’re here, Madi. I can put a sign above the door then. Hairdresser to the stars. Like having a royal warrant! I could do you a nice perm or add a few highlights. It’s looking a bit dull, if you don’t mind me saying. In fact, let me take a look at it now.’

Before Madi could stop her, Patty stood up and whipped the scarf from her head. ‘Oh,’ she said, the dismay obvious in her voice, as she knocked the wig a little too vigorously and it tilted off centre. ‘It’s not your own.’

There was a stunned silence as Madi adjusted her headwear and tried not to cry.

‘Oh, Patty, we all know that actresses wear wigs, don’t we?’ Faith said, coming quickly to her rescue. ‘Stage names, make-up, costumes. Why not wigs? All part of the mystery, eh? I bet these superstars hardly ever go out as themselves. Helps protect them from being recognised and pestered.’ She chuckled. ‘Autographs another time, eh? Now, come on, Madi, let’s be on our way before it gets dark.’

‘Thank you,’ Madi said, as the two of them made their escape and turned back towards home, their planned walk forgotten.

‘No problem. Is it cancer?’

Madi nodded. ‘Breast.’

‘My father had it. Cancer, that is. His was in the lungs. Smoked all his life, so not surprising really. This was nearly ten years ago, and treatments probably weren’t as good as they are nowadays. He went quickly though. Didn’t suffer too long. Yours?’

‘I had surgery, lost a breast, then chemo. The cancer’s all gone though, or they hope so anyway.’

‘That’s good. Losing a breast must be hard, but at our age you have to wonder why we still need them.’ She shrugged, then put a hand on Madi’s arm and patted it. ‘At least you’re still alive, and that’s what counts, eh? To me … well, I often think losing your hair must be the most upsetting part. Not a problem for my old dad as he was bald as a badger anyway, but it’s different for us girls, isn’t it?’

‘Yes. It is.’

‘In your line of work, too. It will grow back though, good as ever. Don’t let it get you down, not now you’re over the worst of it all. Still, I feel for you. It must have been tough … and I won’t be gossiping about you, rest assured.’

‘Thank you.’

They had reached Madi’s gate.