‘Wow, Heather, you’re really quite wise under that mop of red hair, aren’t you?’

‘Not at all, just practical. I also think the idea of reincarnation is an easy way out, a way for people to explain their troubles and understand why some have it all, while some have so little. Like … ah, it was because they were wicked in a past life and are suffering for it now. Seriously? That’s bollocks, if you ask me, and cruel to put it on someone as if they’re responsible for their own bad luck, whether in terms of their health or their situation. Truth is, shit happens to the best of people and, ultimately, we know nothing – not about where we came from, what we’re doing here, or where we’re going.’

‘Sounds pretty scary when you put it like that.’

‘It does, and reincarnation gives you a trouble-free answer – you’ve lived before, if you’re good this time, you’ll come back and all will be well. I don’t think it can be that simple. I could go along with our souls having some kind of genetic memory from generations before, though. We’re all made up of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, going back for centuries, so we’re bound to have all sorts of stuff imprinted in our DNA. But reincarnation ? Nah.’

‘OK, forget about past lives for a moment. What about karma? As you sow, so shall you reap? I think there’s something in that.’

‘Maybe, but only to a degree. Sometimes it’s true – what goes around, comes around – but, as I said before, shit happens to the best of people, and other people who are real shits seem to have it all: wealth, health, good looks. What about all the souls who have died in atrocities or are suffering now in refugee camps? You can’t tell me it’s karma. That would be too cruel. I don’t know. Who knows how any of it works? I gave up trying to figure it all out years ago. Love the ones you’re with, be kind and help out when you can, and don’t try to overthink it: that’s my philosophy. But, going back to what you were saying earlier, have you ever felt that sense of the familiar that the psychic lady talked about?’

‘Not a knock-out blast of oh, I know you.’

‘Me neither. I’m probably too preoccupied most of the time but there are people I’ve been drawn to and others I’ve disliked on meeting. Know what I mean?’

‘I do. I have had a sense of the familiar with some of my girlfriends so maybe you’re right, maybe some of my soulmates are female and not just one. I felt it with Marcia, and you, like you’re family, comfortable, you both get me and I know I can say anything.’