‘Here’s the bathroom. And here’s the utility room. It really makes up for the size of the kitchen. We even have a little garden through here.’ She unlocks the back door.

Outside it’s peaceful, a picture of domesticity complete with washing line and bird table. ‘It’s sweet,’ I say, stepping down onto the lawn. My heels sink into the earth. ‘Is that a pear tree?’

‘I think so, but it’s young. I don’t know if we’ll be here long enough for it to fruit.’

It’s a lovely evening. I suggest that we sit outside for a while, and offer to fetch the wine. In the kitchen, Dave’s spooning rice mixture into peppers. ‘We’re in the garden,’ I say, taking the bottle out of the fridge, and carry it back through the flat to Suzy. We sit on the lawn and smoke. I take off my shoes and the grass prickles the arches of my feet.

‘I hope you stay here,’ I say. ‘In town at least.’

‘We want to buy a house. I’d really like to get somewhere and start doing it up, but for the time being…’ She sighs. ‘A flat in town makes more sense.’

Dave appears in the doorway.

‘Talk of the devil,’ I say.

‘Dinner is served,’ he says.

We go back through to the lounge. He’s set up a dining table next to the serving hatch. It’s laid with bamboo mats and large earthenware plates and three covered dishes.

‘You didn’t put out the goblets?’ says Suzy. ‘I wanted goblets.’

‘I don’t know where they are,’ says Dave. ‘In a box somewhere. Everyone’s got a glass anyway.’ Dave fumbles in his pocket and lights the candles.

‘Sit down,’ says Suzy, gesturing my place.

Dave goes to the kitchen and comes back wearing oven gloves and carrying another casserole dish. He removes the covers and serves out peppers, lamb chops, ratatouille and green beans.

‘This looks beautiful,’ I say.

Dave tops up my wine.

‘I shouldn’t drink too much,’ says Suzy. ‘My medication.’

‘Doesn’t normally stop you,’ says Dave.

‘To life,’ says Suzy, raising her glass.

After dinner Dave clears away the plates and puts on coffee. Suzy breaks out the chocolates.

‘Shall we play a game? Let’s play a game!’ She jumps up and opens a cabinet. ‘Dave and I go to that pub where they have board games. You just ask at the bar for a chess set. We play for hours! We played backgammon all night the other week. I got so drunk Dave had to carry me home.’

‘Backgammon,’ I say. ‘I haven’t played that in years. Don’t know anyone who knows how to play it.’

‘We play it! I can’t believe you never said. Dave’s brilliant at backgammon. Did we never go to the board-game pub with you?’