Before I realise it, I find myself at the junction at the top of the road to the Jessops’ house, my indicator flashing left to turn in. The road is quiet, empty, all the residents at work or at school and I find a parking space only a couple of doors down. Standing by the front gate, I slide my fingers into my pocket to feel the sharp, cold edges of my door key. I might tell myself that I didn’t plan on coming back to the house, but deep down I must have known I would – why else would I have snatched up my door key from where it has laid on the small table next to my bed in my old childhood bedroom?

Curtains twitch at the house next door, and I turn away, towards the end of the road so the nosy old woman next door can’t see my face, although I’m probably too late. I’ll have to let Fran know I’m here. Fumbling in my bag I pull out my phone and dial Fran’s number.

‘Anna? What is it?’ Fran’s voice is sharp, almost unfriendly, and I think that perhaps she thinks I am phoning with bad news.

‘Hi, Fran, it’s nothing. Are you still with Polly, or are you home? It’s just . . .’

‘I’m still with Polly,’ Fran sighs, ‘I can’t face going home yet, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to go back.’

‘The thing is,’ I pause for a moment, not sure how she’ll react when I tell her I’m standing in front of the house and I want to go in, ‘I’m here, actually. At the house. I wondered if I could pop inside and get the last of my things, before you . . . if you decide to put it on the market, I’ll need to get my things back.’

‘Oh,’ Fran says, ‘well, if you must. I mean, of course you must get your things back.’ She sounds distracted, as though she’s not really paying attention to what I’m saying. ‘Of course. Do whatever you need to. Listen, Anna, I must go. Pop the key back through the letterbox, won’t you, when you’re done?’ And my phone beeps three times in my ear and goes dead. She’s hung up.

OK. I turn towards the house, the curtains in the window next door hurriedly falling back into place as the nosy neighbour hides from me, and I give her a broad grin as I walk up the path and slide my key into the lock.