Her head was full of plans about what they’d like to eat and where they’d like to eat it when she went into the shop. She said a breezy hello without making eye contact and slipped down an aisle out of sight, hoping they wouldn’t ask her about Dermot.

All would have been well if she’d been able to find the packet kedgeree he was so intent on having. She had to ask.

While the right place was being pointed out to her, along with a lot of ‘You’re back again soon. So how was the old reprobate?’ type conversation, a tall, thin woman came up to Laura. Somewhat older than she was, with a skin that had been exposed to the weather, she had dark hair tied in a knot at the nape of her neck and wore a crisp white shirt tucked into jeans.

‘So you’re after Dermot’s kedgeree, are you?’ The woman looked her up and down. ‘You know that’s what he always wants to eat after sex?’ She laughed, pretending she’d been joking.

‘I didn’t know,’ said Laura, blushing at the mention of sex and because the woman was inspecting her as if she were a horse she was considering buying.

‘Oh yes. He says it restores the “vital juices”.’ The woman’s teeth were a little crooked and discoloured and her smile didn’t reach her eyes. Never before had Laura felt herself to be so disliked, especially by a complete stranger. The feeling was mutual – there was something about this woman that made Laura instantly bristle.

‘Well, I wouldn’t know about that,’ said Laura, trying to move so she could do her shopping.

The woman barred her way. ‘Oh yes. But if you tell him I’m back your services won’t be required any more.’

‘Oh, are you his cleaner, then?’ Laura’s inner bitch rose up and snapped.

That did discomfort the woman a little, but not for long. ‘No, no I’m not his cleaner. Just tell him I’m back, will you?’ Another false smile was directed at Laura.

‘You’ll need to tell me who you are.’ Laura was not going to rise any further to this woman’s bait.

The woman laughed again. ‘Oh no, he’ll know who I am when you describe me. Dermot and I are very old – friends.’