It was just as well Leonard was along for the ride because Norman and I were both as awkward as each other when it came to keeping up even the light end of a conversation. When it became obvious I wasn’t going to be too much use, Leonard chimed in and started asking Kathy and Tony some polite questions. Like how long they’d been living in Swansea, which was eight years for Tony, since he’d arrived for his first social-work job, and seven and a half for Kathy, since she’d arrived for a three-month work secondment.

“I met Tony on my first day on the job and, well, that was that. I was a goner!” That look again, a squeeze, and an assurance from Tony that it was in fact he who had been the goner from the moment she walked through the doors.

“Actually, Sadie, we might even have you to thank in a funny kind of way,” he said. “I’d have probably gone back home and ended up being the Big Joe of Carlisle if it hadn’t been for you.”

All eyes went to me. I had no idea what he meant and I must have looked as terrified as I felt because Tony leaned forward and put his hand on my arm in reassurance.

“No, no, it’s good, Sadie. You probably don’t even remember, but...” Considering I struggled to remember even one good thing about that time in my life, I certainly didn’t think I’d be able remember something that was apparently life-changing for Tony.

“Well, it was what you said to me that...er...um, one night.”

Tony flashed a slightly embarrassed look around the table and I’m pretty sure at least three of us knew immediately what night he was talking about. Leonard ducked his head and coughed, Kathy looked down at her lap and I suddenly found the back of my spoon extremely interesting. Norman just looked like he was on the edge of his seat, waiting for the punch line.

“You told me that I should look at what people like the Brontës and Liam Gallagher had achieved in their lives. That the world was bigger than one bloody city and if I wanted a life for myself I had to go out and bloody well get one.” To be honest, it didn’t sound like me at all, and I wondered if Tony might have had me mixed up with some other girl, some other one-night stand.

“I...well, I don’t really... I mean, maybe I...” But Tony was on a roll down memory lane and picking up speed.

“You know, you were different from everyone else I met at university, Sadie. You were so intent on doing things your way and it was like you didn’t give a toss what the world and its wife thought about any of it. I was actually a little bit in awe of your fierceness and your...your fearlessness. You know?”

Okay, now I knew Tony had me confused with someone else and that’s why he had been so happy to meet up. Someone fearless and fierce who didn’t give a toss about what the world thought. But before I could open my mouth to correct him he barreled on.