‘I don’t know.’ She shook her head and I could see that she was losing the battle for control. Her mouth opened in an ugly shape and she squeezed her eyes shut against the pressure of tears. ‘I don’t know what I’ll do without her. Without the two of them.’

I moved to put my arms round her. I cupped the back of her head with one hand as if she were Cassie and drew her forehead to rest against my shoulder. She sobbed just once, a terrible sound that seemed torn out of her chest as I rubbed her back and muttered useless soothing words. Penny’s misery was so powerful it filled the room. I waited and went on stroking her, and I was thinking at the same time that even so much pain was something; it was living and breathing and it rolled over her like a breaking wave. I loved Jack and Lola, and I was anchored by affection for my friends, but it was a long time since I had known or even dreamed of passion like Penny’s. I was dry and colourless in comparison. Maybe Tony was right, maybe I did channel too much of my leftover yearning towards Jack because I had nowhere else to direct it.

‘Sorry,’ Penny mumbled.

‘It hasn’t happened yet,’ I told her.

‘Not yet, no.’

‘Give Jerry a few mags and a jam jar anyway. You never know.’

She snuffled with head still against my shoulder. ‘I love her so much. It’s stupid, isn’t it?’

‘I know. And no, it isn’t. It’s wonderful.’

‘I think I’d like to talk to her on my own when she comes down again. Do you mind?’

I straightened her shoulders and rubbed away the tears from under her eyes with my thumbs. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ I said.

‘Thanks, Sadie.’