And Colin Best had made it clear he would help whenever he could, which was why he was sitting by her hospital bed, reading a book. It wasn’t the first time he’d helped out, either. He’d brought meals early on, fetched library books for her, come for a cup of tea when she was on her own.

The book was The Collector by John Fowles. It was a bit of an inappropriate choice, given what might have happened to Maggie, but she couldn’t take offence at that. People could read what they wanted; it probably never crossed his mind that she might link it to her daughter. As with the treatment, life went on.

‘Good book?’ she said.

He nodded. ‘I read it years ago. Made a real impression on me.’ He turned the book over and looked at the cover. ‘I found this in a second-hand book shop and thought I’d read it again.’ He closed it and placed it on the table.

‘I think I might go and get some tea. Would you like anything?’

‘No thanks. No appetite.’

‘Of course. I’ll be back soon.’

By the time he returned she was ready to leave. She steadied herself against him while they walked down the corridor. At the exit, he paused.

‘You wait here. I’ll fetch the car.’

‘That’s fine. I can walk.’ She looked up at the sky; it was blue and cloudless. It was always a relief to leave the hospital. It felt like a return to normal life.

‘No, no,’ he said. ‘It’ll only take a minute or two.’

She waited by the door until he pulled up. He opened the door for her.

‘It’s very kind of you to help,’ she said. ‘What do I owe you for the parking?’

‘Nothing,’ he said. ‘I won’t accept a penny. I already have the most precious thing you can give.’ He put his hand on hers. His grip was surprisingly firm. ‘Your friendship and trust. Now, let’s get you home.’

2

‘London,’ Vicki said.

‘London?’ James watched a duck swim past on the canal. It was mid-afternoon and they had been drinking for a while already. He had started at Warwick but was spending a lot of time at home – with the blessing of the university – because of his mum. ‘Why London?’

‘Streets are paved with gold,’ Vicki said.

‘Right.’ James closed his eyes. She was leaving. Moving to the capital. That was fine. She wasn’t his girlfriend.

She was his friend, though.

‘Not really,’ she said. ‘The streets are normal. But I’ve got a mate down there. And so why not?’

‘Yeah,’ James said. ‘Why not?’

‘Are you OK?’