I headed to Victor’s office in a bad mood, having agreed to re-do the work, which would mean at least another couple of days on it without any extra money. En route, I felt the need for friendly human contact, so I fired off a text to Charlie.

Fucking Karen doesn’t like the work I did – I have to do it all again. SO annoying. Xx

Charlie replied immediately. What a bitch! I’m sure the work was brilliant. You should refuse to do it. xxx

No, I need the money. This is what it’s like being a freelancer but I’m sure she’s taking advantage of me. xxx

I think she’s always taken advantage of you. x

I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so decided to change the subject. Do you want to go out for dinner tonight? New Thai place just opened in H Hill. xxx

She replied. I’m knackered. Quiet night in OK? Love you xxx PS, have you called Tilly lately, checked she’s OK? You should.

Good thinking. Quiet night in sounds good. Love you too. xxx

I called Tilly. Her mobile rang out so I tried the landline.

Rachel answered.

‘You haven’t been fired then,’ I said, without thinking.

‘No thanks to you.’

Oh dear. ‘I’m sorry. She kind of forced it out of me. She knows you were just trying to help though. Anyway, I’m glad you answered. How does she seem at the moment?’

Her voice dropped a few decibels. ‘She’s all right, yes. She seems brighter. I found her crying the other day—’

‘Oh God.’

‘—but she told me I shouldn’t worry about it. She said it’s just that she misses your mum and dad sometimes. And I think she misses you too.’

Rachel had a habit of stabbing me right where I was most vulnerable. Right in the guilt glands.

‘I’ll try to come down more,’ I said.

I remembered a conversation I’d had with Tilly after I’d bought my flat. ‘So,’ she had said. ‘Did you buy a flat on the fourth floor with no lift so I wouldn’t be able to visit you? Or are you planning on setting up some kind of winch and pulley system so you can haul me up the front of the building?’

I had been mortified. It genuinely hadn’t crossed my mind, when I had bought that flat, that Tilly would never be able to visit it. I was gripped by self-loathing and vowed to visit her frequently. Of course, she had been nice about it and told me not to worry, that she knew it was a bargain and that I wouldn’t be there forever. ‘Next time, though, get a ground floor flat, eh?’

‘I’ll come down soon,’ I said to Rachel now. ‘I’m sure Charlie would like to come and see Tilly too.’