There was no rush, Sarah had insisted, and she was right, in one sense, but I still felt harried. I might have a job interview to go to, even though I’d been checking my email at every opportunity and nothing had come through. We had to find a place to rent with Zac that was big enough for all of us and still close enough to Biddy’s. Sarah had to reverse time and use condoms with her lovers, or at least come clean about the fact she hadn’t.

She’d apologised, finally, while Biddy was showering the previous evening, told me she’d realised, all of a sudden, what she’d been looking for all this time was … him.

‘Nikau?’

‘Yeah, I think so.’

Dave’s jawbone. Assi’s smile. Vernon and Valentino. ‘And you’re only just realising that now?’

‘Chris, be kind to me.’

I had to forgive her – the grudge was killing me.

I smiled at Biddy, felt deflated. ‘I really enjoyed being at the fireworks.’

‘I enjoyed that too,’ she said, squeezing my thigh. ‘And the animals at the farm. And those beautiful trees.’

‘And the water fights.’

‘That was so much fun. And fucking in the forest.’

‘That was fun too.’

We smiled, sipped our coffees.

There had been bad times, too. Biddy’s sadness, the fact we might all have AIDS.

‘I think Sarah’s doing her best,’ she said. ‘But, to be honest, I just don’t know how much longer I can –’

‘Hello, Dadda,’ Oliver said, his hair sticking up, a bag of lollies in his hand.

‘Hi, Daddy,’ Sophie said. Her green summer dress and white sunglasses.

‘Have we come a bit early?’ Sarah said.

‘No, just perfect,’ Biddy said. ‘I need to make a move. I can’t say I’m looking forward to the drive.’

‘Do you guys want some juice?’ I said.

‘Yes, please,’ Sophie said.

‘Just water,’ Oliver said.

I stood, rubbed Oliver’s head, waited in line to order, felt my time with Biddy slipping away.

She was standing when I returned with the drinks. Sarah too, the kids.

‘You’re leaving?’ I said.

‘Yeah,’ Biddy said, smiling, turning to Sarah. ‘Thank you again for having me, Sarah. And you too, kids. It’s been great having all this time to hang out with you.’

‘That’s OK,’ Oliver said, receiving her hug. ‘Love you, Biddy.’

‘Same,’ Sophie said, hugging, kissing. ‘Love you.’

‘Bye, Biddy, thanks for everything,’ Sarah said.

‘No, thank you,’ Biddy said, hugging her again.

‘I’ll walk you to the car,’ I said. We could see it from the restaurant window but it would give us a few more seconds.

We stood at the driver’s side, hugged and kissed the way good friends might.

‘I love you,’ I said.

‘I love you too, beauty. So much.’

She got in, adjusted the seat, blew a kiss.

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