‘Not sure. They said three weeks of furlough, but it just depends what comes up, doesn’t it. Don’t worry. I’m not going to be here cramping your style all the time. My parents will want a visit, and I’ve got a couple of fundraisers to go to.’ She takes a sip of her coffee and sighs appreciatively. ‘Fuck me, that’s good. So, Sarah. Are you living here?’

‘No. Just stayed last night.’

‘Shame. I could do with the extra rental income. What about you, Tilly? Any live-in lovers I need to know about?’

‘Nope.’

She turns her attention back to Sarah. ‘And where is Mike?’

‘Still in bed, I think. He likes a lie-in if he’s not working at the weekend.’

‘Hm.’ Lena’s facial expression leaves us in no doubt what she thinks of ‘lie-ins’. ‘Well, I’d better get this stuff unpacked and in the washing machine. To be honest, I’m amazed customs let some of my clothes into the country, the way they smell. I’ll see you guys later, yeah?’

‘Great,’ I sigh once she’s disappeared into her room. ‘Not only has she stolen my bath towel, but she’s going to hog the washing machine for the entire weekend as well. Last time, she managed to clog it up and we had to get a man in to fix it.’

‘What have I missed?’ Mike says, appearing from his room looking sleepy and dishevelled. ‘Is there any coffee, Sarah?’

‘I’m not your personal barista, you know,’ she admonishes him gently as she gets yet another mug out of the cupboard.

‘You’re a woman of many talents,’ he assures her in a voice I’ve never heard him use before. ‘It’s just that the coffee-making one interests me the most at the moment.’

‘Flatterer,’ she laughs as she fiddles with the machine.

‘Lena’s back,’ I tell him once Sarah has furnished him with a steaming mug and settled herself beside him on the sofa. He smoothly moves his hand to rest it on her bare thigh, and she almost shivers with pleasure. There’s certainly more going on between them than I’ve ever seen with his other conquests.

‘Is she?’ He seems curiously unperturbed by the news. ‘Where’s she been this time?’

‘Angola. Landmines.’

‘Nice. She’d better not fuck up the washing machine again.’

‘I wouldn’t rule it out. She’s already stolen my towel and used all the hot water. I’m absolutely knackered, all I want is a hot shower and I can’t bloody have one.’

‘Sorry.’

‘Yeah, well. It’s not your fault for once. Remind me how long before the water heats up again?’

‘It’ll be at least an hour, I’m afraid.’