She kept up a stream of disconnected chatter. ‘Now we’re in the firing line we really should update our wills, don’t you think?’ she said. ‘I’ll leave everything to you, of course, not that there’s much to leave. That reminds me, we need more teabags. By the way, have you noticed that Ali’s disappeared? In the corner shop? I hope he’s not ill. It’s his brother who’s working there now.’ She swung round, jerking my scissors. ‘You’re not cutting off too much are you?’ She glared at the hair scattered on the ground.

By this time I’d lost my nerve. ‘Hardly any. I’ll just neaten up this bit …’

‘That’s enough.’

She pushed back her chair and climbed back into the kitchen. I followed her. She was inspecting herself in the mirror. ‘Hmm,’ she said. ‘Give me the scissors.’

She trimmed a bit here and there, and then shook her head like a dog.

‘That’ll do.’ She walked across the room and flung herself onto the sofa. ‘It’s not as if anybody’s going to see us. God, it’s depressing; can’t even go out for a coffee. Hope Max and Valeria are getting on all right, stuck in lockdown together.’

‘Who’s Valeria?’

‘His fiancée.’

I sat down. ‘What?’

‘She sounds a real control freak. And he’s so passive.’

I tried to swallow. ‘Max is engaged?’

‘Didn’t he tell you?’

‘I didn’t even know he had a girlfriend.’

‘That’s Max for you.’

‘No it’s not.’ I glared at her. ‘Why did he tell you and not me?’

Azra shrugged. ‘You’ve never really got on, have you?’

‘Of course we have.’

‘Why do you think he lives halfway across the planet?’ She looked at me. ‘Whoops, have I put my foot in it?’

‘I don’t understand what you’re talking about.’

‘Same with Lucy. They couldn’t wait to get away.’ Azra laid her hand on my knee. ‘Look, darling, I’ve never had children so I’m hardly one to judge, but I would’ve thought it was pretty blindingly obvious.’

‘What was?’

She sighed. ‘It doesn’t matter. We’re all weird. I’m sure I’m weird. Forget it.’

Her hand slid under my skirt, up my bare leg.

‘I’m sorry, sweetheart,’ she murmured. Her fingers fiddled with the edge of my knickers. ‘It’s probably easier to teach them than to have them. Don’t be upset.’

I snatched her hand away. ‘Of course I’m upset!’

‘Come here.’ She turned my head towards her.

I pushed her off and went into the bedroom, slamming the door shut. There was nowhere else to go.