‘Oh, Prue.’ He is shaking his head. ‘I have friends. I realized a long time ago I didn’t want to live life on my own any more …’ Well, that’s evident, I think. He’s had women, he’s had girlfriends, of course he has … but at one time I was his only friend, I’m sure of it. It was just me and him, for a while. ‘But you were the best friend I ever had.’

‘Even more than David Somebody?’

He looks puzzled, then laughs. ‘David Hopkins? My Geography buddy? Yes, even better than him. It’s great having you back in my life.’

‘Am I?’ I enquire. ‘Am I back in it?’ I am looking into his eyes even though I don’t want to. I am searching his face for answers when I’d rather be running away, away from here and him, across the immaculate lawns and over the walls of Kenwood House. To home and safety. To a place and time where I had never bumped into him again.

‘Would you like to be?’

I place the screwed-up napkin on the table and watch it unfurl. ‘I suppose so.’

‘You suppose so?’

Yes, I suppose so, I want to say. Yes, I suppose it’s OK for me to start seeing you – a lot – for you to keep turning up on my doorstep and appearing places, and bringing lost socks and forgotten memories and making me feel really terrible that you were the best friend I ever had but I had to let you go. Yes, I suppose I can stand it, but I can’t. Not really. When have I ever?

I don’t say anything. Kemp hesitates for a moment, pushes a hand through his hair. ‘Does your dad still like Blondie?’

‘I guess so, why?’

‘They’re playing at the Roundhouse next Friday night. I’ve got a few comps – tickets – my mate works for the promoters. Would you like some?’

I look at him. What is he asking me here? Is he going to this concert? Is this Kemp asking me to be in his life another day, on another trip out? Or is he just giving away tickets?

‘He used to really like them, didn’t he?’ he presses. ‘And it’s so close to you, I thought …’

I look at him and all I can see is eyes and smile. He’s just giving away tickets, isn’t he? In a friendly gesture. As friends do.