‘Pub quiz. Our team won the league last year, remember?’

Annie had no idea who The Nolan Sisters were. ‘So, what about your name? Did you come with it, or was it your parents’ choice? I mean, your adoptive parents.’

Billie winced. ‘Let’s not call them that. I know that it’s technically correct, but to me they were – are – just Mum and Dad.

Annie raised her hands in an apologetic gesture. ‘Just trying to be clear about . . .’ Her words trailed away.

This wasn’t turning out to be the fun evening that Billie had hoped for, and she blamed herself for deflating the mood like Miss Havisham at a hen party.

‘Ladies. I’m sorry. God – if any of us says that one more time tonight, I swear I’ll tip every drink I can lay my hands on over them. Even at these prices! You don’t have to be gentle with me, or polite, or sensitive. That makes me feel weirder than being adopted. Feel free to take the piss like you usually do. Just be normal. I want to talk about it, because I don’t know what to do, and I trust you guys to be honest with me. I don’t need empathy, I just need your usual, and frankly often completely inappropriate, but much appreciated advice. Oh – and another one of these arty-farty gin and tonics.’

As she stood at the bar waiting for their drinks, she watched her friends conferring and wondered what they were saying, if they were talking about her. Bloody hell! Since when had she become so self-obsessed? Or was that just too much gin on an empty stomach? They were probably discussing the barman again – Julia eyeing him up and Annie putting him down. Once their drinks were served and Billie was seated back at the table, Annie returned to her earlier question.

‘So, what about your name? Where did it come from?’

‘Don’t you mean, from whence or from whom?’

Annie grinned. ‘Touché, smart arse. Now answer the bloody question.’

‘I’m not sure. Of course, I always assumed that it was the name given to me by Mum and Dad. They had me christened Billie Marie – Marie after Dad’s sister – but come to think of it, Billie seems an unlikely choice for them.’

‘Maybe after Billie Whitelaw, the actress?’ Annie offered.

Billie laughed. ‘Definitely not. Mum couldn’t stand her. Said she had cold eyes.’

‘I know exactly what she meant.’ Julia shuddered. ‘She was so creepy as the nanny in The Omen. What about Billie Jo Spears – the country singer? Were your mum and dad fans?’

Billie recalled the records that had been the soundtrack to her childhood, but couldn’t remember any Billie Jo Spears amongst them.

‘I don’t think so.’

‘Well maybe that’s the one thing your birth mother did give you.’ It was Annie who voiced what they were all thinking. ‘Maybe she gave you your name.’