‘Of course, he did,’ said Dolly scathingly, ‘but you know it wouldn’t have happened, don’t you? And I bet he wouldn’t have encouraged you to look for another job either. You can see that now, can’t you?’

‘Yes,’ I nodded, ‘yes I can.’

‘You know,’ Dolly mused, ‘I’m surprised he tolerated our relationship.’

I didn’t mention how he had tried to stop me from coming, how he had sulked when I refused to leave, or how he had hinted that Dolly’s advancing age meant that she quite possibly wouldn’t be a friend for too many more years.

‘But then, whisking you off to Abu Dhabi would have put me nicely out of the picture, wouldn’t it?’ she said, puffing out her cheeks as I began to clear the dishes.

‘Nothing could come between us, Dolly,’ I told her.

‘That’s all right then,’ she smiled. ‘And how did he take the news when you broke it off? Is that why he roared off on Sunday?’

I didn’t answer.

‘You have broken it off, haven’t you, Hattie?’

‘Not exactly,’ I admitted.

‘What?’

‘On Sunday I just wanted to get back here in one piece so I asked him to drive me home and then leave me alone. But don’t panic,’ I hastily added because she looked aghast, ‘I’m going to tell him soon.’

‘Good.’

‘But I have to think carefully about how to do it. Don’t forget all my possessions are at the flat. Granted I haven’t got a lot, but I would like it all back.’

‘Beamish could help with that.’

‘No,’ I shot back. ‘I don’t want Beamish knowing anything about any of this.’

I was feeling guilty enough for not telling him about Jonathan in the first place but now the thought had crossed my mind that I wouldn’t ever have to tell him at all. I could just say that I’d changed my mind about moving and leave it at that. No harm done.

‘I can sort it,’ I carried on. ‘I just need to do it gently. I might even try and find a way to convince Jonathan that it’s all his idea to dump me.’

‘I can’t see that happening,’ said Dolly. ‘He’s unhinged, Hattie.’

I chewed my lip.

‘I know,’ I said, ‘I know he is, but right now he’s doing exactly what I asked him to do, which is leaving me alone, and I’m grateful for that at least.’

I had thought he would start bombarding me with texts and voicemails, but so far, my phone had been silent.

‘That is something I suppose,’ Dolly nodded as I lifted the Wish List down from the mantel.

‘And look at this,’ I said, waving our notes about.

‘I’m not sure it matters now,’ she said.