‘I was, yes. Down towards the river somewhere, maybe. Why?’ She hesitated, not quite sure where the conversation was going. ‘Did you want to come?’

‘If you don’t mind.’ He seemed suddenly more animated than she had seen him before. ‘Not if you’d rather not. I mean, we hardly know each other, so I’d understand if you’d prefer to be on your own. But I’m quite interested. In photography. Well, all art really. And I might be able to help in some way. As a local, I mean. Knowing the best places to go, depending on what it is you want to see …’

‘Okay.’

‘Okay? You mean I can?’

‘Don’t see why not. To be honest, I don’t know anyone else here and it might be nice to have some company. Give me half an hour though, eh? I was just popping out for some supplies. Meet back here at ten?’

‘Cool. And thanks. Want me to bring anything?’

‘Not that I can think of. Your lunch maybe? It’s what I’ll be doing. I’m watching the pennies a bit and it’s cheaper than having to eat out somewhere.’

‘Like a packed lunch, you mean? I’ve not had one of them since school!’

She laughed. ‘Well, it doesn’t have to be in a Thomas the Tank plastic box, but just a sandwich and an apple or something? And a bottle of water, or a flask.’

‘Right. I’ll get onto it. See you later.’ And he was off, bounding back down the stairs like an over-eager puppy.

She followed him down, at a slower pace, and walked to the shop where she quickly bought some bread, cheese, bananas and a couple of bottles of juice. She stopped to check Madi’s post tray in the hall on her way back. Nothing today. By the time she had rustled up a cheese and pickle sandwich and packed a few things in her rucksack, it was still only ten to ten. She didn’t want to have to do it but she’d promised Sian, so she switched her phone on and sent a proper text to her mum. She knew she should call, but texting was just so much easier, with no chance of being interrogated or pressure being applied to make her go back.

Am in London. Swapped homes with Madi. Promise to be back in three weeks. Don’t worry about me. All is fine. And please don’t pester Madi for the address. She has been sworn to secrecy! Love you x

That would have to do. She didn’t want to be too accessible, but now, if some disaster did happen to strike, she was at least traceable. That text had put her mind at rest, and hopefully would do the same for her mum. She wondered, not for the first time, if this level of anxiety was one of those inherited things, if worrying about some ludicrous scenario that might never happen, instead of dealing with the here and now and just enjoying life, was something her mum had passed on to her through her genes. No, it was highly unlikely that she was about to end up unconscious on the bathroom floor, but if she did, there was a chance now of being saved. Eventually. Because if she wasn’t calling home regularly, how was anyone meant to know when to worry enough to raise the alarm? She gave herself a mental slap. God, she’d be checking she had her best knickers on next, just in case she got run over!