Rolo is a Spanish water dog and one of their fluffiest clients. He’s chocolate brown with four white paws, and however far you bury your fingers into his coat, you rarely reach skin. His owner likes to keep his fur long, which means he’s a regular visitor at Groom & Bloom for a trim. He’s usually a very welcome guest, but the playful two-year-old isn’t so much fun if you’re grappling with a headache. Kat looks at her watch. She’s due to finish in ten minutes. ‘What time is he booked in?’

Sally appears at the open doorway. ‘Five. You’ll be finished by six thirty latest.’

Kat looks at Sally’s tired eyes, her hopeful expression. She scrapes her bottom lip with her teeth. ‘I’m really sorry, Sally. I have plans this evening.’ She watches Sally’s face fall. Bites her lip a bit harder.

‘Is there any way you could reschedule, delay your plans a bit?’ Sally continues. ‘I know it’s a lot to ask but I’d really appreciate it.’

Kat considers texting Beth, asking if she can postpone Luna’s walk by an hour or so. But what if Beth says no, and cancels their date completely? She’s waited so long for this, a second chance. She shrugs her shoulders but can’t bear Sally’s desperate expression, so looks at the wall. ‘Sorry, no,’ she murmurs. ‘How about some paracetamol? I’ve got some in my bag.’

Sally sighs and shakes her head. ‘No thanks. I took some an hour ago and it hasn’t touched the sides.’ Kat watches Sally’s head droop, then her body turn and retreat back to the reception desk. She feels bad, letting her boss down, but she’s got to remember what’s most important right now. Disappointing Sally is just collateral damage.

Kat uses the distraction of Rolo’s arrival to slip out of the salon without saying goodbye. But her prompt departure means she’s early for Beth’s, so she takes her time, ambling slowly down and then up the road, scanning the pavements. As she passes the old Delphine’s, she can see a shadow moving around beyond the glass shopfront. Tragedy is like that, she muses. It can stop your world from turning, but not the world. Life always goes on. And the death of one squatter just gives another rough sleeper the chance of a dry night’s rest.