But then, she wouldn’t be here, she reminds herself. In Brighton, where Jamie is potentially so close. There’s still no sign of him, but that hopefully might change now she’s volunteering with Tor later. She’s looking forward to being on the front line handing out the donations from the food bank again. Because surely someone from the homeless community will have answers. Jamie’s always made friends wherever he’s gone. Someone’s bound to know where he is. She’s set her heart on it.

She opens the door to the balcony and stands on it and stretches, grabbing a bit of afternoon sunshine. She’s set her desk up in here and she likes the view. She was disappointed by the meagre sea view at first, but since she’s had such a long time to look at it, she’d become rather fond of her little glimpse of ocean. It amazes her that from day to day, it’s never the same colour. Today, it’s a purplish blue. Little pink clouds scud on the horizon.

As she stands, the house sparrows she’s been watching nesting on the floor above flutter by in a flurry of wings and she watches them.

‘Hey.’

She turns. It’s Matteo. He’s out on his balcony, too, as if he’s also taking a break from work, but she wonders now whether he’s come outside because he’s seen her.

‘Hi,’ she says, turning to face him and smoothing her hair behind her ear. ‘How’s your day going?’

‘You know … the usual.’ He pauses, then comes over to the side of the balcony and smiles. He’s wearing a sage-green wool jumper and she has a flash forward fantasy moment of how it would be to put her arms around him. Lord knows she could do with a hug and Matteo looks like the kind of man who gives really good hugs.

‘I’m going for a sunset walk later with Luna. You want to join me?’ Matteo asks.

‘I’d love to, but I’m volunteering tonight. At the food bank.’ She hooks her thumbs into the belt loops of her jeans – a nervous habit of old. He’s smiling, but he’s looking at her lips. She remembers seeing a documentary on one of those famous Hollywood actors and how he said it was easy to do seductive acting – you just had to look from the eyes to the lips and back again. Is Matteo doing that flirty move deliberately? Surely not. Even so, it makes her feel giddy and she bites her lip, unsure of how to act in the spotlight of his attention.

‘Of course. Another time.’

‘Or … or breakfast? I saw there’s a nice place for takeaway coffee on the beach?’ she blurts out.

‘Sure. I’ll move my meeting and we’ll go. It sounds good. Enjoy tonight.’

She closes the door, looking at her diamond engagement and wedding ring. She feels like she’s made an illicit pact. She wonders what Lisa would say.

The phone rings again and Maddy answers, not recognising the number. This could be the man at the council who she’s tasked with helping her find Jamie. She answers with an enthusiastic hello.