‘I know.’

Even with the leaky ceiling, being inside in the warm is making her feel guilty. Is Jamie somewhere out there in the cold rain? What if he’s in a tent in this? Or in some horrible damp shelter? After talking to Vic and finding out that Jamie is definitely here, she’s been ramping up her efforts, hoping that every day there’ll be a message. Because surely he must have seen the posters she’s put up, or found out from the social services that she’s here looking for him?

‘Are you worrying about Jamie?’ Matteo asks and she smiles sadly, amazed that he can read her so easily.

‘I can’t help thinking … what if he knows I’m here and he’s deliberately ignoring me? What then?’

‘I think that’s highly unlikely. Seriously, Maddy. You’re doing all you can. I’m sure you’ll find him soon.’

She likes the way that however unhinged she sounds, he takes it all on board calmly, always giving her a rational, commonsense point of view. In the past few weeks, she’s not sure what she would have done without his comforting words of wisdom.

‘Why don’t you come over for something to eat? Tonight?’ he offers and she turns.

‘Dinner?’

‘Yes, dinner. I can cook,’ he says. ‘But it’ll just be a simple kitchen supper.’

‘Sure. I guess … I mean, I’m not doing anything.’ She feels ridiculous saying this. Of course he knows she’s not doing anything.

‘So come at eight.’

He smiles and then she realises the conversation is over and she goes back to her apartment and leans on the door.

Dinner.

A date.

A dinner date.

She hasn’t been on a date, or been asked out for dinner, for decades and now she’s frozen with indecision as she mentally rakes through her wardrobe options and what each choice might inadvertently signify.

She picks up her phone and messages the Sea-Gals chat. ‘Going over to Matteo’s for supper. Help!’ She sends it, then worries about how silly she must sound. She’s almost old enough to be Tor’s mother.

‘At last,’ Tor replies almost immediately. ‘Go for it. Good luck.’

‘I’m so nervous,’ Maddy replies.

‘You’re just out of practice,’ Claire types back. ‘You’ll be fine.’

Maddy laughs. Maybe it’s true. Years ago, she used to be so confident when it came to men and dating. She was always the one in control, calling the shots, always flirting, always weighing up her options. She remembers laughing in the back of a cab with Lisa as they travelled across London to yet another party. Those days had been so much fun. So carefree.

After her shower, Maddy blow-dries her hair and does her nails, realising that these little personal rituals have been conspicuously absent since she’s been in Brighton and has started swimming. There’s been no point in blow-drying her hair, when she’s been stuffing it under a cap and she hasn’t had the inclination to seek out a nail clinic now they’ve re-opened.