Colin smirks at me, he mocks me when I do my Dictaphone voice. Then, Bea’s phone goes off loudly – it’s Isla calling. The radio isn’t on in the Uber and the roads are quiet, so we can all hear the audio coming out of Bea’s phone as clearly as if Isla was sitting here next to us.

‘You all right, lovely?’ Bea asks, warmly.

‘Yes I’m OK – just really needing to talk to someone. Are you free now for a quick natter?’

‘Of course, darling. Just been out with Olive and her colleague Colin.’

‘Cool – where did you go?’

‘Oh, just a club thing.’

‘What kind of club?’

‘Well, it was for Ol’s work, for research – we were keeping her company.’

‘Sounds interesting, what was it about?’

‘Well.’ Bea pauses. ‘It was a club night for child-free women.’

‘Right,’ Isla replies, curtly.

I lean forward and glare at Bea who raises her shoulders in a I-couldn’t-help-it-what-was-I-supposed-to-do kind of way.

‘It was interesting,’ Bea glances over at me, showing her gritted teeth.

‘But why did you go?’ Isla sounds shocked and upset.

‘I just said, love, to keep Ol company. She was a bit nervous.’

‘Bit weird, Bea.’

‘Why?’

‘You pretended to be childless to get in?’ Isla says, sounding appalled.

‘It’s child-free actually,’ Bea says.

‘I … Sorry. I just … it’s a strange move, and I could really use some support at the moment, myself.’ Her voice wobbles a bit.

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. I know I was meant to call you yesterday, I got distracted making a bumble-bee costume for Amelia for that thing at Rainbows and my day went out of the window.’ Bea slaps her head.

‘No, it’s OK. I suppose I just want my old self back. Is Amelia OK?’

‘She’s fine, love. At home with Jeremy, on the mend. How are you, Isla? What’s going on?’

‘I’m … it’s just … I can’t afford another round of IVF. My uncle has said no to giving me more money, think he’s embroiled in some legal fees with his ex-wife or something. He’s cutting me off, basically. And I feel like a total monster because I need the money and I am so jealous of Cec and Oscar. I can barely stomach the photos.’

‘Oh Isla. It’s totally understandable that you’re feeling low.’

‘I know I’m being sensitive. I just feel a bit lonely and left out.’

‘I’m sorry, tonight was just a silly thing. No one was taking it seriously; it was just a random thing for an article Ol’s working on.’

‘It’s OK,’ Isla’s voice is really shaking; it’s obvious she’s about to cry.

Colin and I look at each other. Just a silly thing? Just a laugh? I hadn’t realized my life choices were so ridiculous to Bea.

‘I am sorry, Isla, I hope you feel a bit better tomorrow,’ says Bea.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll call back another time.’

‘OK, I love you. Have a good rest tonight. I’ll call you first thing tomorrow,’ Bea says gently.