Who’d have thought it? I asked myself, Stuart Armstrong, Mr Cool Dude.

When they’d finished, the band packed up and Stuart came over. ‘Next time, you must take me to hear some music you like, but for now, let’s get a glass of wine. I’m ready for one.’

‘Sounds good to me.’

Once we’d settled, he told me a bit more about the separation. ‘We were a classic case of staying together for the sake of the children. It’s not as if we were fighting,’ he laughed, ‘we were both very civil and good at repression, but you get to a certain age and think: is this it?’

‘I know exactly what you mean.’

‘Richard?’

I nodded.

‘I never thought you were very happy with him and I was glad that ended. You seemed to come alive again after he’d gone.’

‘I did.’

‘But no partner since? Sorry, I don’t mean to be too nosey.’

‘Not at all. No. No one since. Truth be told, I’d given up.’

‘You say that as if something has changed?’

‘Possibly.’

Stuart sighed. ‘The chap at the wedding.’

‘No, not necessarily. He’s a very old friend.’

‘Seemed very fond of you.’

‘He is, and I of him.’

‘Ah.’

We sat in silence for a few minutes and I felt that the atmosphere between us had changed from amicable to uncomfortable.

‘He lives in Thailand permanently, doesn’t he?’ said Stuart.

‘He does.’

Stuart laughed but it was brittle. ‘Good. And what about you Bea? Have you decided where you’re going to live? What you’re going to do?’

‘No decisions. Like you, I’m going to tread water for a while. I’ve always rushed into things, kept myself busy, but I want some time to think about the next phase of my life and where I want to go.’

‘Maybe we could tread water together sometimes, if you know what I mean.’

‘I do. Truth is, what Saranya Ji told me in India – and the events that have happened since – have made me rethink a lot of things. I know it sounded outlandish, crazy, but since that day in Cherry Tree Park when I told you about it, I’ve begun to think that there was some truth in it all.’ I told him about the hypnosis session when I remembered Minty. He listened patiently until I’d finished.

‘So you think now that you were Grace Harris?’ he asked.

‘I do. A few months ago, I would have thought the idea was preposterous, but I’ve changed. I now believe it completely.’

‘And this man you’re looking for, the one who you say might have been Billy, have you any idea who you think he is this time?’

‘Not exactly. What do you think? Could be you.’