I step inside, my heart thudding inside my chest. I close the door behind me, then as I go towards the living room I hear a noise. There’s someone in the kitchen. Just turn round and get help, I say to myself, but I’m so scared I can’t move. Then I hear footsteps. They are coming this way. Please don’t let them hurt me.

‘Maggie?’

Relief floods through me as I hear a familiar voice.

‘Sonia,’ I gasp. ‘What are you doing? You almost gave me a heart attack.’

‘I’m sorry,’ she says, as she comes towards me, her face flushed. ‘I was already on my way over here when I got your text saying you were popping out. I thought I may as well let myself in and get on with some cleaning. I hope you don’t mind.’

‘Sorry?’ I say, still feeling shaken. ‘What … what did you say?’

‘I said I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in,’ she says, looking embarrassed. ‘I mean, I had the key and, well, it’s not like I’m breaking in or anything.’

‘Of course not,’ I say, composing myself. ‘You just gave me a bit of a fright, that’s all.’

‘I’m so sorry,’ she says, her eyes widening. ‘I really didn’t mean to …’

‘It’s fine, Sonia. Honestly,’ I say, as I follow her into the kitchen.

‘Well, I’ve done the bathroom,’ she says, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. ‘And I was just about to make a start on the vacuuming when I got it into my head to make some bread. I thought it would go nicely with the soup.’

She lifts a tea towel from the freshly baked loaf and brings it over to me.

‘What do you think? It’s a bit burnt on the bottom but it should be okay.’

‘It’s wonderful, Sonia,’ I say, my eyes twitching with exhaustion. ‘Just wonderful.’

I feel faint suddenly and put my hands out on to the counter to steady myself.

‘Are you okay, Maggie?’ says Sonia, placing the bread on the table. ‘God, I’m so stupid. Here I am wittering on about bread and I haven’t even asked you how it went today. You said you were going to see an old friend?’

I exhale slowly and as the dizziness subsides I raise my head. Sonia puts her hand on my shoulder.

‘Do you want to talk about it?’ she says gently.

‘I’m very, very tired,’ I say. ‘I think I might just go and have a lie-down.’

‘Of course,’ she says. ‘Can I get you anything? A glass of water? A warm drink?’

‘No thanks, I’m fine. I just … I just want to go to sleep.’