Clare went to open her mouth in reply, then, thinking better of it, closed it again and settled instead for a straightforward nod.

‘Good. I’m glad we’ve got that cleared up. I fully understand your reasons for not wanting to involve David in this. Though I’m not sure I agree with them.’ She paused and Clare made as if to protest, but before Clare could utter a word Margaret waved her response away. ‘But be that as it may, someone has to look at the wider picture here. Because it’s quite evident that you’re failing to do so. This situation has implications for all of us.’ Margaret removed her glasses and, holding them in one hand, fixed Clare with a look that would have sent any undergraduate diving for cover.

Clare said, ‘What wider picture? I’ve just had my flat burgled. How is that anybody else’s concern?’ Much as she respected Margaret Bockford, this was none of her bloody business.

Margaret said, ‘Yes, but have you given any consideration to exactly why your flat was burgled?’

Clare was fuming now. She’d had enough. ‘Because some sodding smackhead needed money for his next fix.’ She took in a deep breath. ‘Look, I’m sorry, Margaret, I appreciate that you and Jo were worried about me, but I’m a grown woman. I don’t need mollycoddling. I was burgled. I can’t lie: it wasn’t pleasant to get back last night to find that. But the police have done their job. I’ve phoned the insurance company. They didn’t even take much. It’s all just fine now.’

Margaret said, ‘But that’s where you’re wrong: it’s not fine. Not fine at all.’

Clare shook her head in exasperation. In the last couple of years she’d come to know and respect Margaret Bockford; she counted her as a friend. But this was too much. Where did she get off trying to run other people’s lives for them?

Jo rested a hand on Clare’s forearm, but Clare instinctively withdrew it from the table. ‘Look, Clare. I know you’re tired. You’ve got a whole heap of stuff to deal with right now. And if I were you I’d be sick of everyone, me included, ignoring what I have to say and trying to tell me how to run my life. I get that. But give Margaret a break here. Just listen to what she has to say – it’s important.’

Clare took in a deep breath and, inclining her head to one side, after a moment’s pause folded her arms. ‘Alright. I’m listening.’