I am in shock. This evening—most of today—has been most unexpected. I find out I’m pregnant, I’m groped by a man and now I’m learning Comma’s back story. I have absolutely no idea why she’s confiding in me. All this heart-to-heart makes me even more nervous.

‘In your article—you didn’t really talk much about love in your list of things that make a marriage. Do you have love in your marriage, Polly?’ Comma asks, stepping closer.

‘I—it’s a rather personal question, Leena,’ I say.

I feel that familiar doubt begin to stir in my heart again—why does ‘love’ always make me doubtful?

What if Sid didn’t come back home tonight because—Maybe I am imagining that things are getting better, but they aren’t? What if he hates me? He’s never said he loves me … Oh, where is Sid? I so want to call him and demand answers. I want answers and I want his assurance because sometimes I feel like … Clink, clink. ‘I forget—how long have you been married?’ Comma stares at the twirling ice.

‘Nine months,’ I say.

It will be our first anniversary in three months. I don’t want to start another year of our marriage with doubts and questions in my mind.

‘Love marriage?’ Comma asks.

Her continued interest in my marital life is beginning to creep me out.

‘No,’ I say in a voice I hope conveys that I don’t want her asking any more questions.

‘If you will excuse me Leena, I—’

‘A nine-month-old arranged marriage. Is that why you didn’t mention love in your article—because it’s not there?’ Comma asks.

I can’t handle this anymore; her questions are also too close to the truth for my comfort. I have to get away—

‘Never mind, don’t answer that,’ Comma says. ‘Look at the people here tonight. All live in glass houses, all pretend they have love in their marriages. You’re no different about your marriage—’

‘I don’t know about these people, but I’m not lying about my—’

‘Of course you are not lying, Polly—anyway, I’m not interested in your marriage. But I am interested in your work. You need to focus on your work. Work will never let you down. Other things will. You have potential but you settle for mediocrity, you tend to get distracted by too many other things,’ Comma says and smiles at me for the second time tonight.

That’s it. I am done with yet another session of let’s-beat-up-Polly. I am a doormat, I am mediocre—I came here to attend a party and not to have a repeat of my regular work day.

‘Sorry about this Leena, but I’ve got to go to the loo,’ I say and walk towards the door.

Comma lunges and grabs hold of my wrist.