As it starts to get cooler we move inside and settle at a table in the corner. Suzy asks after my leg but she’s got a faraway look and I can tell her heart’s not in it.

‘We had a row a couple of weeks ago,’ she says. ‘I left him and stayed in a hotel for the night. That’s the first time I’ve done that.’

I take a deep breath. ‘What was the row about?’

*

At eleven, I see Dave appear in the doorway to fetch Suzy back from the pub.

‘Talk of the devil,’ I say.

‘Time to come home,’ he says.

Suzy’s merry again by now. ‘Lara hasn’t finished her drink,’ she says.

‘Well, Lara can sit here and finish if she wants to, but we’re going home.’

‘Darling, aren’t we going to walk her to the bus stop?’

‘If she comes now. Otherwise I’m sure she can make her own way.’

‘It’s alright, I’ve finished,’ I say, downing the rest.

‘Do you need us to walk you to the bus stop, Lara?’ says Dave.

‘No, I’m fine on my own.’

‘Don’t forget dinner next Saturday,’ he says, baring his teeth in a smile.

*

I arrive at five past eight. Suzy opens the door with a cheer and wafts me in. I hand over a bottle and some chocolates and we go into the lounge. She’s watching a TV talent show.

Dave pokes his head and shoulders through the serving hatch. He looks too tall and bulky for the galley kitchen. He’s wearing a butcher’s apron and a back-to-front baseball cap.

‘Hello Lara,’ he smiles ingratiatingly, waving a spatula. ‘Welcome.’

‘Dave’s a brilliant cook,’ says Suzy. ‘He learned to cook in the army.’

‘We’re having stuffed peppers and lamb,’ says Dave, ‘followed by pears poached in wine.’

‘Perfect,’ I say.

‘Pour Lara a glass,’ says Suzy.

‘Thanks,’ I say. ‘I’ll have the white.’

Dave passes it through the hatch.

‘I love this show,’ says Suzy, laughing. ‘I vote for someone every week.’

‘Do you watch it, Lara?’ says Dave.

‘I’m not usually in on a Saturday night,’ I say, and then, in case that sounds too smug: ‘You know, single girl.’

‘Why don’t you give Lara the tour?’ says Dave.

‘Would you like the tour?’ says Suzy.

‘Yes, I would.’

She leads me up the hallway. ‘The kitchen’s too small really, but it does for now.’

Dave goes into the lounge and switches off the television.

‘I like what you’ve done with the flooring,’ I say.

‘Oh you noticed.’ She smiles. ‘Yes, I’m pleased with it. This is our room.’ She opens the door. ‘And here’s the spare room. You can stay tonight if you like, if it gets late. I put fresh bedding on the other day.’

‘Thanks. I’ll see how drunk I get.’