‘No, it’s not,’ I replied irritably, before wriggling out of the dress and throwing it and the scarf down on top of the shirt. ‘It’s too garish. Plus Tara was half the size I am now, the dress is too tight.’

‘Why don’t you just wear something comfortable?’ Jason offered.

‘Comfortable,’ I repeated, with real bitterness. ‘Have I become a woman who should only wear comfortable clothes? It’s not fair Jason – you can still wear a slim-fitting grey T-shirt and jeans and look fit. And comfortable too. Nothing has changed for you.’

‘That’s not what I meant,’ he said.

‘Imagine having a space hopper permanently strapped to your middle while fighting chronic fatigue, on top of hot and cold flushes. With a side order of swollen ankles and bad skin!’ I snapped.

‘I know babe, I can see it’s not easy. I’m sorry.’ He turned away, but he sounded cynical to me.

‘It’s not just about clothes,’ I said. ‘I don’t think you have any idea how my life has been turned upside down.’ Tears appeared at my eyes. ‘I miss Mum so much at the moment.’

He touched my shoulder, in an effort to try and soothe me. ‘I can only try to imagine,’ he said tenderly. ‘I’m sorry about this morning. I’m here for you Aisha, I promise.’

I took a deep breath and forced myself to be calm; there wasn’t time to be upset.

‘But, for the record, you always look good, whatever you wear. And even if you decide to wear pyjamas, I don’t think anyone will care.’

‘But I care,’ I whispered; his compliment didn’t sound very convincing. ‘Anyway, you need to go out,’ I ordered. I would be glad to see the back of him.

‘Text me when the coast is clear!’ he called, as he disappeared out of the flat.

Once again, everyone had been instructed to bring a plate of something to share, so I didn’t really need to offer anything other than drinks, but I decided to make some bruschetta.

Half an hour later, while Lin and Helen chatted in the living room, I tended to the cloud of smoke and smell of burning toast that I had left under the grill for too long. I heard the doorbell and panicked, but luckily Lin popped her head round the door and said, ‘I’ll get it!’

‘Come in Lucy, Aisha’s upstairs, handling a little emergency in the kitchen,’ I heard her saying, making me cringe. ‘Luckily we’ve put out the fire.’

‘I’ve put the kettle on,’ added Susie from the top of the stairs. ‘We still have drinks! Are you tea, coffee or herbal?’

‘Oh, always coffee for me,’ Lucy said.

‘What about you, Aisha, can I get you something to rehydrate you following the bruschetta drama?’ Susie asked, turning towards me. I felt my eyes prickle as another joke was made at my expense, though I knew it was because I was already feeling overly sensitive this evening.

‘I think I need a coffee too,’ I replied to Susie, trying to sound more cheery than I felt.