Ollie warms his hands on a bakery bag, then pulls off a piece of the loaf and chews it.

I’ll make us coffee, she says, and takes down an espresso pot.

What the fuck is that, Ria? He gestures to the plant-experiment.

Oh, that. I’m sprouting my own mung beans, it’s addictive. They’re really good for you.

She fills the pot and lights the gas.

In the kitchen’s bright daylight fine lines are visible around her eyes, and the odd grey hair. Her skin looks a little thicker than it used to.

Hard paper round, she says.

She hands him a bag of pastries and he follows her through to the balcony. She throws a rug down on the floor, laying it with cups and sugar, and spreads out cushions. It’s sunny with a cool breeze, and the balcony faces south. A couple of geraniums in tubs are beginning to flower. She takes the full ashtray away and brings back a clean one, with the pot of coffee.

She pours for them both, and unwraps a new pack of Embassy, offering him one and lighting them with a Bic.

He sips the coffee and draws in smoke. Hot coffee, strong fags, bright sun, cool air. He lies back on a cushion.

You roll, I’ll deal. She nudges the tobacco tin over to him.

Oh not just yet. Let me have a fag first.

Ria picks up the newspaper and leafs through it.

What’s going on in the world, then?

Same old shit. Do you want your horoscope?

No, I’d rather not know. He stubs out his cigarette and takes an almond pastry.

You gonna roll or will I?

You if you want one. Is there more coffee?

Tiny bit in the pot. OK, gonna deal my cards first. She goes into the living room and returns with a pack of angel cards.

She shuffles, an inward look on her face. She shuts her eyes. After a minute she puts a card down on the rug, with a decisive flick. She shuffles some more, and then deals another, then a third. She opens her eyes and sets down the pack, looking over the cards she has dealt.

What do they say? he says.

Hang on. She shakes a cigarette out of the packet and lights it, blowing smoke out in a long stream as she reads the cards. OK.

What?

She gathers them up and jiggles them back into the pack, shuffling once. Come down the health food shop with me later?

What for?

St John’s Wort. You should try it you know.

Fucking hell.

It works.

*

The health food shop is large, and bright with strip lights. Surprising that the local population could support it.

The cashier recognizes Ria, and they exchange hellos. Ollie and Ria make their way along the aisles.

Have they got any snake oil, d’you think?