You didn’t return that evening before I had to leave Edward’s, but to my relief, you were back in the surgery the next day. However, it was so busy I didn’t get to see you for the entire morning. Dr Short was still off, so you were booked in with patient after patient. All became hectic, including an incident with the unhinged ex-model Ms Kemple who was waiting for her appointment with Dr Harris. She looked as if she was attending her own funeral and declared herself as ‘dying of the flu’. When informed there’d be a delay, she burst into tears, shouting about how terrible she felt and that she didn’t have her late lover, George, to look after her anymore. Linda ordered me to fetch her a cup of tea. Which I did, while remaining as distant from her and her germs as possible. Even more so when I had to collect up the empty mug, which she’d stuffed with a contaminated tissue. Another example of money and manners being unconnected.

With everything so chaotic, I didn’t get to your office until lunch.

‘Constance. How are you?’ You glanced at me for a second before turning back to your computer to resume working.

‘I’m . . . I’m good, thanks. I tried to call you yesterday, but I guessed you were busy.’

‘Ah yes, sorry . . . I didn’t have a minute to myself.’ You lifted a sheet of paper. ‘You’ve not seen my pen anywhere, have you? Christ knows what I’ve done with it.’

‘No . . . sorry.’ You mouthed the words you’d begun to type. ‘I’m meeting with Dr Franco in a minute, but do you want to get a drink later?’

Finally you tore yourself from the screen and turned to me. Your eyes missing their target.

‘I’m busy tonight. It’s poker.’

‘Ah yes, of course . . . Sorry, I . . . Tomorrow, then?’

‘I’m just . . . I’ll be busy for a while, Constance, to be honest.’ Which was funny, as you didn’t know the meaning of the word. Your lips formed a condescending smile. And the realization dropped onto me. Like lead from the sky.

‘Sorry, Constance, I really need to finish these notes. I’ve not even had chance to have a drink yet. You couldn’t get me a cup of tea, could you? I’m trying not to have so much coffee. And tea’s your northern girls’ forte, isn’t it?’