Thea nods. ‘I know. I didn’t want to bother you with trivia when you were so concerned. I looked you up in the electoral register. Anyway, I hope things have turned out better than you expected. If not, the doctor and I are here, if you ever need us.’

She smiles at me kindly and reaches out to touch my arm. It’s enough to set me off and the tears start to fall, the words tumbling out: how I’ve lost my job; how hateful Ian is being; how I don’t know what to do.

She stands in the street and listens, appearing unconcerned that people are walking past and giving us inquisitive glances. Eventually the tears dry up.

‘I’m sorry,’ I say. ‘I’d better get inside. I’m sure Ian will be watching and wondering what’s going on.’

‘If he cared about you, he would have come to find out, don’t you think?’ She pauses and frowns. ‘I have an idea. Why don’t you go into the house and tell him what’s happened? See how he reacts. If he’s helpful and positive, that’s fine. Great news, and you can work things out.’

I snort unattractively at the very thought that Ian could be helpful.

‘I see,’ she says. ‘It’s every bit as bad as you thought, then. Why don’t I wait in my car? If he’s a total nightmare and you need to get out, you must come to stay with the doctor and me. You would be very welcome, you know. We have a huge house so you could be totally independent. No pressure. Whatever works for you. Even if it’s just for a couple of days until you get your head straight, it might be useful. We’re on completely the opposite side of Manchester, but it’s only about eight minutes’ walk from a tram stop, so you wouldn’t be cut off, and you can always borrow one of our cars.’

I can’t accept this. I’ve only known Thea for a couple of weeks, and while it is such a generous offer, it doesn’t feel right to simply run away from my problems.

‘I can see you hesitating, dear, and I understand. I’ll leave you to it. The invitation is there, if ever you need it.’ Thea gives my arm another squeeze and turns away.

I suddenly panic. I have no doubt at all how awful it is going to be when I go inside, and Ian and I will have to live there, together for twenty-four hours a day, while we work out the future. I know that nothing will be resolved if we’re in the same house. And I need to look for a job, but I will be in no frame of mind with him undermining my last ounce of confidence.