‘The whole thing’s been a bit of a surprise.’

‘You could say that, for all concerned.’ He pushed himself away from the wall and opened the back door. ‘Garden!’ He pointed outside. The dog lumbered out and barked at nothing in particular. Doug sat down on the arm of a chair and inspected me. ‘Well, well, Patience, I didn’t expect to see you again.’

‘Prudence.’

‘We’ve both been royally shafted, have we not?’

I nodded.

‘But I’ve put it behind me,’ he said. ‘I’ve had some hard knocks, Patience, but believe me, I’ve never let it drag me down. Tomorrow’s another day, that’s my mantra. Let bygones be bygones. You pick yourself up, dust yourself down, and just get on with it.’

‘I just wanted to know, well, what exactly happened. I’ve been visiting him in prison, you see—’

‘What, Calvin?’

I nodded.

‘Blimey, I wouldn’t touch that cunt with a bargepole, excuse the language.’ He looked at me, eyes narrowed. ‘Listen, love, I’m sorry I can’t help you. If you’ve come here for answers you’ve come to the wrong place.’

Just then the front door slammed. Before Doug could get up a woman strode into the room. She wore motorbike leathers and carried a helmet.

‘What are you doing here?’ Doug snapped.

‘I’ve come for my CDs.’ The woman squatted down and opened a cupboard; she started throwing CDs into a carrier bag.

‘Hey, some of those are mine!’ said Doug.

‘I’ll sort them out later.’ She looked at me. ‘Who are you?’

‘Prudence.’

‘Wow, what are you doing here?’

She was so different from my imaginary Johanna that for a moment I couldn’t reply. A strapping, beefy woman, something no-nonsense about her. Plain face, mousy hair cropped short, a jutting, determined chin.

‘I came to talk to Doug,’ I said.

‘Huh. If you think you’ll get anything out of this knobhead you’ve got another think coming.’ She shoved the last CDs into the bag. ‘I’m Jo, by the way. Calvin’s friend.’

‘Friend!’ snorted Doug.

‘I’m outta here.’ She stood up, breathing heavily.

‘See you in the divorce court,’ said Doug.

‘Don’t be an arse, we’re not on the telly. I’ll be back tomorrow for the garden tools. You won’t be needing them. You wouldn’t know a yucca if it came up and slapped you in the face.’

Johanna strode to the door. I got up and followed her. I’d lost confidence in Doug. Besides, I was intrigued by this leather-clad Valkyrie who’d whirlwinded in and out of her marital home and seemed unfazed by meeting me.

Her motorbike was parked in the street. ‘Want a lift?’ she said.

‘I haven’t got a helmet, and anyway my car’s here.’