Vanessa didn’t know how she felt about Billy’s absence. Was he backing off from their friendship? Or was he giving her time to get herself together? She wasn’t sure, and she didn’t know what it meant for her or for them.

She was sweeping the floor in the café one morning after dropping Wren off to school. Her was hair falling out of its loose bun, jeans clinging to her curvy shape, which was complemented by a slouchy gray top that hung from one shoulder. She was staring intently at a stubborn piece of dirt on the floor that just wouldn’t move when she felt someone’s stare and for a terrifying moment, she thought it was Mark. She turned slowly, the hairs on the back of her neck rising. But it was Billy, standing there, grinning at her with his slightly lopsided smile that she found endearing.

‘Billy, you scared me!’ Her hand immediately went to her hair, smoothing it down. Suddenly she felt self-conscious about her choice of clothing.

‘You look busy,’ he said, indicating the broom. ‘Want some help?’

‘How are you at swinging a mop?’

He saluted her playfully before going into the back room and returning with a mop and bucket of soapy water. He began to clean the floor, starting in the far corner. They worked in silence for a few moments before Vanessa moved to the walk-in fridge to sort out some stock. She heard him speak but the whirring of the cooling systems meant she didn’t hear him.

‘Pardon?’ she said as she came back out on to the main café floor.

‘I said that the place is looking really good. You’ve really turned it around. Toby must be happy. How’s old man Phillips taking all the changes now?’

Vanessa laughed. ‘Well, as you know, at first he wasn’t happy, and we had a few clashes about… well… everything really, but he’s come round, and he loves the boys, always finding a reason to come in when they’re here. Not everyone copes well with change, but I think he’s doing a wonderful job.’

‘Except you,’ he said, finishing off the mopping.

‘Except me what?’

‘You cope well with change.’

‘What does that mean?’ she asked, surprise on her face.

‘Only that you’ve had so much thrown at you – you left your husband, became a single mother, started a new job – but you look amazing, and happy.’ He looked away, as if embarrassed by his words.

‘Thanks, Billy,’ she said softly, blushing at his kind comment. She didn’t know what else to say, but she did know how it made her feel, like a teenager again.