“I wasn’t sure I’d come.”

“Do you mind if I smoke?”

Cate shakes her head, and Lissa takes out her pouch and rolls.

“I went past the old house,” says Cate. “On the way here.”

“Oh?”

“It was funny. Looking at it and not going in. Are you still in the basement?”

“Barely. I can’t really afford it. I think I’ll have to move.”

“Then it really is the end of an era.”

“Yes, I suppose it is.” Lissa lights her cigarette, blows the smoke away from them. “How’s Tom?” she says. “And Sam?”

“He’s good. Tom’s walking now.”

“Do you have pictures?”

Cate takes out her phone, bringing up a couple of recent photos as Lissa leans in. “He looks like a sweetheart.”

“He is. Sometimes.”

“How’s Hannah?” asks Lissa softly.

“She’s OK, I think. As far as I know they’re still apart. I’m seeing her later. I guess I’ll know more then.”

Lissa nods, turns to look out into the street. “I won’t bother to defend myself,” she says.

“OK.”

Above their heads, the rumble of a train, the squeal of its brakes. The hiss as it opens its doors.

“It’s funny,” says Lissa, turning back. “I’ve been thinking, lately, about that audition. That film. Do you remember? Before we went to Greece?”

Cate’s stomach tightens. “Yes.”

“And how I couldn’t forgive you for it. I’ve sort of hated you, I think. Ever since. For not telling me about it in time.”

“Lissa—”

“No.” She holds up her hand. “Let me finish. I know you have your own version of events. I just wanted to say that lately, I’ve come to understand that I’m capable of things I didn’t ever imagine. And I wanted to say that, whatever happened, I forgive you. That I wish you well.”

Cate opens her mouth to defend herself, then closes it again. “Thank you,” she says. “That means a lot.”

There is the rattle of the train leaving the station above, bound for Liverpool Street, or for the north, for far reaches of the city.

“Sarah’s ill,” says Lissa. “She has cancer.”

“Oh god,” says Cate. “How far?”

“Stage four.”

Cate puts down her cup. “I’m very sorry to hear that, Liss.”

Lissa’s hands move to her hair and back down again. “Yeah,” she says, “it’s all a bit shitty.”

“Is she having treatments?”

“She refused them.”

Cate waits for Lissa to speak.

“I sort of admire her for it,” Lissa says, “but I’m angry too—I mean I’m fucking furious actually.”

Cate nods.

“And . . .” Lissa looks up. “I know you went through it with your mum, and I wanted to ask you what to expect?”