‘Oh, that,’ Angie said. ‘Yes, well I’m sort of sorry I had that done. It’s too noticeable—people remember you when you don’t particularly want them to. Pegasus, that’s the name of that little flying horse. Wouldn’t it be terrific to have a real one? Just hop on its back when things get rough and take off up into the sky where no one can ever…I used to have that picture pinned up in my room when I was a kid at home. Time I got shot of it, I’m a big girl now, though that’s a debatable point. I’m glad you like it and it’s found a new owner. Listen, you haven’t chosen which earrings I should wear today yet. I had to wear these pineapple ones all weekend because you didn’t show up to pick me out a new pair. Didn’t get round to it myself. How’d you like to have big chunky pineapples stuck in your ears when you’re sick and have to stay in bed?’

Seymour fetched the jewellery box and chose small red plastic bells. She put them on and inspected herself in a hand mirror.

‘Somehow they just don’t go with my face this morning,’ she said. ‘Oh, heck, I look like something that just tottered out of a geriatric ward! All I need is dentures and a walking frame. I should get up and have a shower, only if I moved I think maybe my head might fly off. That’s what it feels like, no kidding.’

‘Maybe you’d feel a bit better if you had some breakfast.’

‘You and your nagging. That’s all I need at this hour.’ She made a wobbly effort to rise, but sank back to the edge of the bed, arms wrapped about herself, shivering. ‘It’s no use,’ she said flatly. ‘I feel too sick to have a shower, even. I’d better just hop back into bed. Sorry, mate, not being able to take you out somewhere for a birthday treat. Sorry, love…Tomorrow, maybe.’

‘That’s okay. But you’d better have something to eat, Angie. How about I cook something up for you.’

‘I don’t know what I’ve got in the fridge. Can’t remember if I shopped on Saturday or not, that’s when I usually go down to the market. I just can’t remember Saturday, it’s like it never happened. Maybe it didn’t.’