‘I’ll put the kettle on,’ Anna said. Jake came to stand in the kitchen doorway, one hand resting on the frame.

‘Olivia’s been out for hours now,’ Anna said, turning. ‘I suppose I ought to go and have a look in on her.’ She looked at him, shyly. ‘I’m sorry. This is so stupid.’

‘Look, Anna . . . I can’t believe this.’ He searched her face for a response. ‘Can’t you say something?’

‘I don’t think I know what to say.’ She put her head on one side. ‘Could I have a hug?’

Laughing with relief, he came to her and they held each other tightly. His body felt very warm and lean, its closeness a comfort. She rested her head against him, felt his arms round her back.

‘I feel so clumsy, so nervous.’

‘What of?’

‘Making a mess of things again. And – ’ He hesitated. ‘I suppose of you not wanting me.’

She leaned her head back to look at him. ‘But I do. So much.’ And grinned suddenly. ‘Pretty unusual all this, isn’t it?’

She felt his big hand gentle on her head, drawing her closer until their lips met. Anna closed her eyes.

There was a slam of the front door, and Ben’s anxious voice calling ‘Hello?’

They released each other quickly, exchanging a half-comical grimace. ‘We’re here!’

Ben strode in, morosely. ‘Well, nothing much doing. Looks as if I’m stuck here a bit longer. You’re not leaving now, are you?’

Chapter 38

At six Anna went to Olivia’s room and found her stirring, eyes closed, her head moving from side to side. Her face was haggard. Anna waited, sitting on the chair near the bed. She watched as Olivia eventually opened her eyes, for a moment unfocusing and bewildered after this long, unnatural sleep.

Her gaze fixed on Anna, stopped, and stared hard. Anna felt a chill run through her at the dark, flinty expression.

‘Anna?’ She gave a faint smile. ‘You’ve been waiting for me? That’s nice.’

‘We’ve been here all day,’ Anna told her.

Olivia frowned. Then, wearily, she said, ‘Sean.’ She closed her eyes again. There was a pause before she spoke again. ‘Where’s Krishna?’

‘He went out. I expect he’ll be back soon.’

In a small voice Olivia said, ‘Will you help me up?’

Anna pulled her gently to a sitting position. As she helped her out of bed she saw the hem of the pale nightdress was stained a grubby grey from the mess on the floor downstairs. Olivia stared at it.

‘Jake and I have been cleaning up,’ Anna told her. ‘You won’t have much of a problem, really. Just need new curtains.’

Olivia didn’t seem to be listening. She leaned forward slowly and nipped the leg of Anna’s jeans between finger and thumb. Anna resisted the impulse to pull her leg away. Olivia stared at the washed-out denim.

‘When I was your age we never dreamt of wearing such things,’ she said wonderingly. ‘You’re all so much freer.’