Eventually, I grew sick of feeling so bad and forced myself out into the rain. There was a cinema nearby and I booked myself in for a movie that was so loud and action-packed that I didn’t have time to think. The cinema was nearly full and just seeing other people nearby gave me the illusion of company. Though I wanted someone to talk to, when my phone buzzed at the end of the movie and I saw it was Oliver, I felt too fragile to see him just then.

Ruby, I’ve just spoken to Tom. He said you’ve left home. Is everything OK?

I winced. I knew I was going to have to face this with everyone. I kept my reply short.

All OK, thanks.

His reply came within seconds. Fancy meeting up to talk about it? I’d invite you round but Tom’s at home so I doubt you’d want to call here. Just say where and when and I’ll be there.

I thought about the day I’d had, with no human interaction, and the day ahead—Sunday—always the most miserable of days.

Meet me for brunch at the Marino Lounge at 11 tomorrow?

He replied immediately. I’ll be there x

CHAPTER 20

Ruby

It was odd sitting in the bistro having brunch with Oliver. He’d been to our house tons of times, for meals and barbecues and drinks. One year he’d even had Christmas lunch with us, because his fiancée had just left him. We’d bumped into him in the supermarket, looking forlorn, and when I heard he was going to be alone, I invited him to our house. He’d brought the makings of cocktails and I’d been plastered by the end of the night. And we’d been to his house, too, when he got promoted, when he got engaged. I’d never been out with him on my own, though. Why would I?

But most of the times Oliver and I talked, I realized now, we were on our own. And I grew used to not telling Tom about it; I knew he wouldn’t like it.

I remembered the first time I kept quiet. A couple of years ago, Oliver and I were sitting on the garden wall, chatting. Tom was working late and Oliver was telling me that he’d been promoted at work. He told me all about the interview and the other candidates and what the panel had said to him when they offered him the job. We’d been interrupted as usual by Tom calling me on the house phone, to check I was there. A few days later Oliver was around at our house for a drink and when Tom asked how his job was, Oliver said, “Oh, well, I’ve been promoted at work. I’m their marketing director now.”