Pip, however, looked to be enjoying herself less. She had become very pale since they had got off the train, and her face looked clammy. Her eyes skittered about like a frightened animal’s, as if she didn’t know which way to run.

Evelyn decided she must take control. ‘Well, if I remember correctly,’ she said, trying to sound confident, ‘then it’s a hop along to the Northern Line and then straight up to Kentish Town. You might need to help me with the ticket though, Pip. Those barriers look terribly aggressive.’

She took Pip’s arm and led her towards the sign saying Underground. Pip followed, compliant as a child. Evelyn began to worry. She could really do with Pip snapping out of it. When she had agreed to make the trip to see Ted, she had done so on the basis that Pip would look after her. She hadn’t anticipated it turning out to be the other way round.

But as they walked along, jostled by the crowds of commuters, Pip seemed to find her feet and the colour began to return to her cheeks.

‘I’d forgotten,’ she said. ‘Isn’t that strange? I’d forgotten what it’s like.’

‘That’s not so very strange,’ said Evelyn in a reassuring tone. ‘You’ve been gone eight months and you’d struggle to find many places quieter than Southwold in the winter, certainly when compared to this.’ She gestured with her arms at the crowds and accidentally hit a man on his chest. He scowled at her and Evelyn laughed. ‘Oh, come on. Let’s get out of here and go and find darling Ted.’

Ted had told them that their café was now a fried-chicken place, and so they had opted for a Costa Coffee over the road. Pip pushed open the door and immediately Evelyn started scanning the tables for her friend. She saw him at once. His hair was white now and not toffee-coloured, but his eyes still sparkled and his smile was just the same. Evelyn had fretted that he wouldn’t recognise her, but it was immediately apparent that she had been worrying for no reason.

‘Evelyn Mountcastle as I live and breathe,’ he said, standing up and waving his arms as if he were blessing the café. Everybody turned to see what the commotion was about, and then immediately turned back in case they made eye contact with the strangely behaving man.

‘Ted!’ said Evelyn. ‘Oh, Ted.’

She rushed across to him and they stood, staring at one another, shaking heads and smiling.

‘Just look at you,’ she said. ‘You haven’t changed a bit.’