I smile sincerely at that. Sophie and I are opposites in so many ways yet we just work together as friends. Maybe I am where I’m meant to be after all. Maybe I do deserve this beautiful life I’ve been given, even if I did pack in my job and throw my whole reputation up in the air.

‘Look, I don’t know if you’re even up for it, but on a totally different subject, I’ve got some tickets for September twenty-third to see that band we all seem to like in Dublin,’ Sophie tells me, her eyes brightening with excitement.

A band? That does get my interest actually. Maybe hearing some live music would shift me up a gear and perhaps help me get the courage to start writing again. I loved hearing live music in Galway with Martin and Matthew. It lit a spark in me, even if that spark went out again like a damp squib as soon as I got into bed when we’d left the pub.

‘Maybe it will be something to look forward to instead of the usual seafood restaurant or hanging out here when we get together next month?’ Sophie says. ‘What do you think? You don’t have to answer now, but have a think about it, talk to Jack.’

I let go of Sophie’s hand and tie my hair back up into a loose bun, already decided that whoever it is or wherever it is, I’m going, hands down.

‘Who’s the band?’ I ask her, and then the penny drops in my head as I realize exactly who the band is. My stomach does a somersault. Oh no.

I’d seen posters around the city, in fact I’d seen them everywhere, even in Galway when I was visiting Matthew.

‘You mean, Blind Generation?’ I squeak, not even recognizing my own voice when I speak. ‘Is that who you mean?’

‘Yes, that’s them,’ says Sophie, and then she goes off in another ramble as to how she still can’t remember their name no matter how many times she’s told it. ‘One of the girls at work says her husband has some sponsored tickets to give away and she asked if I fancied it. She’d heard me singing their song one day, bless. Anyhow, no big deal but I have them if you want to go. Ask Jack.’

‘I will,’ I mutter, feeling rushes of energy surge through me like I’ve haven’t felt in a long time. ‘Sophie, would you mind if I had a quick shower? We could go for lunch?’

She turns right round to face me.