‘What?’

‘She’s got cancer.’

‘Oh Jem.’

‘Breast cancer.’

‘But she’s too young!’ said Irene. The picture of Juliet rose before her as she’d last seen her, sitting in this very kitchen with her pale, slightly asymmetrical face, her mass of dark hair, her soft full breasts under her cotton dressing gown, at home in the body which had now become her enemy. ‘My age.’

‘Yeah, well. She’s got it anyway.’

‘Oh bloody hell, I’m so sorry. When did you find out?’

‘Four weeks ago now. Though we didn’t know it was cancer then. It was just a lump. Lots of women get lumps and it doesn’t mean anything.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me before?’

‘We didn’t tell anyone. We just wanted to live with it ourselves for a bit, if you see what I mean.’

‘Did she find it early?’

‘Quite early, and it’ll probably be fine.’

‘I don’t know what to say. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling, both of you.’

‘That’s the odd thing – we’re fine. We’re having a lovely time together – it’s almost like falling in love all over again, especially when we hadn’t told anyone and it was just our secret. I can’t describe it properly. Maybe we’re just in denial.’

He paused. ‘It makes you realize what’s important in life. And that’s the point – we’ve decided to get married.’

‘Have you? That’s the way to do it. I’m very glad for you.’

‘Yeah, me too. We’ll have a little wedding – just us and four witnesses and a few of our closest friends. Then a big celebratory party and speeches and dancing and then Juliet will start chemo.’

‘When is it?’

‘Next Friday.’

‘That soon!’

‘I know it’s short notice. We only decided on Sunday, though actually we had to start the proceedings three weeks ago, just in case we went ahead. All the bureaucracy, especially if you’re not French. Anyway, the banns are posted in the mairie now. The point is, will you come over for it?’

‘Of course I’ll come.’

‘And be a witness?’

‘I wouldn’t miss it for anything.’

‘Mum’s coming the day before. And Dad’s flying over from the States.’

‘Dad’s coming!’

‘Yeah. Not just for me, I don’t think – he said something about a business trip as well. God knows what business – I didn’t dare ask.’

‘God, I haven’t seen him for years.’

‘Me neither. I nearly didn’t ask him, but then I thought, what the hell. He’ll be diluted by the crowd anyway.’

‘Mmm,’ said Irene doubtfully. ‘Maybe.’

‘He’ll be with Toni and his children.’

‘His other children, you mean.’