‘Do you need anything from the shops?’ Hollie turns to point as if to remind Chloe where they are. ‘I could go grab you some supplies. Honestly, it’s no bother.’

Chloe sighs. Hollie isn’t going to leave.

‘Give me two minutes to pull some clothes on and I’ll come out with you. You’re right, I need the fresh air.’

Hollie goes to lift one foot inside, but Chloe pushes the door just a little. ‘Two mins,’ she says, closing the door shut.

When Chloe reappears, Hollie is sitting on the low wall at the front of Nan’s garden. She’s looking up at the house. ‘Nice little places these. Me and Phil looked at one round the corner from here.’

‘Did you?’ They start walking. ‘Hey, how did you know which one was Nan’s?’

‘I came over that time just after you moved in, don’t you remember? But Nan was ill, so we went to the coffee shop instead. Shall we see if it’s open today? You could have some dried toast or something?’

Chloe looks like she might be sick and Hollie looks concerned.

‘What do you think it is? Something you ate?’

Chloe shrugs. ‘Best not to get too close, though.’

They walk in silence for a while, Hollie glancing this way and that up and down the road.

‘It’s a nice road, I remember thinking that last time. Quiet.’

‘Nan’s lived here since they were built.’

Hollie looks surprised to hear this.

‘Surely she must know everyone round here? Or rather they must know her – know her family, I mean.’

‘Here we are,’ Chloe says as they arrive at the coffee shop. Actually, it is more of a greasy spoon and if Chloe really had been ill, the chip fat odour alone would have been enough to turn her stomach.

Suleyman brings over two laminated menus, putting them down on the table, and Chloe studies the black hairs on the back of his hands.

‘How’s your nan, feeling better?’ he asks.

‘Yeah, thanks, Suleyman.’

He walks away and Chloe whispers to Hollie, ‘I can’t be bothered to explain.’ She nods. ‘How are you anyway?’

‘Oh, I’m fine. No news. More worried about you really, I couldn’t get hold of you . . .’

‘Yeah, like I said, I lost my charger, I’ll have to buy another one.’

Hollie looks back at her for a second. She can see Hollie’s unsure what to say next. She knows this look. But she knows Hollie well enough to know she’ll keep her confidence. That she knows there is no alternative.

‘Oh, that’s annoying,’ Hollie says, ‘they’re expensive as well. Especially when you haven’t got a job . . .’

Chloe quickly looks down at the menu.

‘I’m going to have the sausage, egg and chips,’ she says.

‘Do you think that’s wise?’

‘Why?’

‘Your bug.’