‘Well, hi,’ I repeat, as though I didn’t once secretly give this man my heart.

‘Do you want to get together sometime, Prue?’ he asks me quickly. ‘For old times’ sake?’

‘No,’ I reply, equally quickly. ‘No, not really.’

‘Prue!’ scolds Dad.

‘Oh!’ Kemp laughs, surprised.

‘How rude, Prue!’ says Dad. ‘And why are you saying “No”? You two were really good friends once upon a time.’

‘Once upon a time was a very long time ago,’ I mutter. ‘People change. Things move on. Sorry if I sounded rude,’ I add, like a child.

‘Have you changed?’ asks Kemp fixedly. ‘Because I don’t think I have.’

‘Of course I have.’ I shrug. ‘Like I said, things move on, don’t they?’

‘Well, that’s a shame,’ says Kemp, and he looks at me in an odd way I can’t read. Well, maybe I can read it. Maybe he needs a friend again. I don’t. ‘Would be a shame to never see you again, Bertie.’

‘OK, well. Right, let’s get you in, then, Dad. Time for lunch and a cuppa,’ I say briskly. I can’t look at Kemp any more and I don’t want him looking at me. I need to get away, again.

‘Maybe I’ll bump into you again!’ calls Kemp as I bustle Dad away and Kemp mooches off down the street, hands in pockets. ‘See you!’

‘Bye,’ I call feebly and Dad and I stand at the doors to The Palladian and I rummage for my keys, and I wish and I wish and I wish for no more bumping, not from him, as – despite rain showers and Salvis and promised phone calls and eyes open – my stupid heart cannot bear it.

CHAPTER 16

Dad is tired tonight. He declines a leftover portion of his delicious tiramisu and a mug of frothy coffee, after dinner. He closes his eyes in his chair in front of the window I opened without his objection, and I gently take his headphones and put them on the table. He doesn’t even stir when the phone rings.

It’s Angela.

‘Hello?’ Her voice is shrill and chirpy, as clear as a bell. My ‘hello’ is a muffled trumpet, muted by pasta and tiramisu and blunted by waiting for my mobile phone to ring all night.

‘I said I’d call back and here I am!’

‘Here you are.’ About two weeks later …

She sounds sunny and light. It speaks volumes, our tones, our light and shade. My unblemished, unburdened sister, brightened by love and Nova Scotia. Living her happy ending. And me, lumbered by life and insecurity.

‘What have you been up to?’