The pair turned the corner onto a quiet, mews-like alleyway, and directly in front of them stood a tall, olive-skinned man.

‘He looks like …’ Clementine started to say.

‘Hello, Francesco,’ Penny interrupted.

They’d seen him before he’d seen them, and the shock registered on his face as it went totally devoid of colour.

‘Penny,’ he said.

Clementine looked from Penny to Francesco.

‘I thought you were in Italy?’ Penny asked.

‘I was,’ he said. He didn’t offer anything beyond that. It was like he didn’t want to talk, but he didn’t move to walk away either. He looked, quite frankly, stunned.

‘Are you here for a holiday, or …?’

‘I had a job interview. I miss London.’

‘I know what that’s like,’ Penny said, trying to make him smile. ‘I’m coming back here too, actually. Uncle David is selling the pub.’

‘Oh,’ he replied – still almost totally impassive. ‘Well. You must be very happy,’ Francesco added. ‘You wanted that.’

You could cut the tension with a knife.

‘Francesco—’ Penny started to say.

He held up a hand. ‘Please don’t,’ he said. ‘I’m only just getting back on track again. Just – don’t, okay?’

Penny nodded, biting her lip.

‘I have to go. See you. Bye, Clementine.’

Clementine whispered a small, ‘Bye, Francesco,’ and he continued in the direction he’d been walking before they’d seen him. They stood for a moment, processing what had just happened.

‘You know what?’ said Clementine. ‘How about Deliveroo at mine? I think I’d prefer to be at home.’

‘Yeah,’ said Penny. ‘Fine.’ She turned to watch where he’d walked. ‘Gah!’ she said.

‘Yeah,’ Clementine agreed.

At home, the sisters lay on Penny’s bed in Clementine’s guest room, their feet in the air against the wall and pillows under their heads.

‘Are you okay?’ Clementine said.

‘Me?’ said Penny. ‘Are you okay?’

‘Mate, I’m peachy,’ said Clementine, ever the chilled sister. She rubbed her belly. ‘Come on, tummy!’ she said to it. ‘Make a baby!’

Penny leaned across. ‘May I?’ she said, asking permission to touch her sister.

‘My body is your body,’ said Clementine. ‘Course you can.’

‘Come on, tummy!’ Penny said. ‘Make a baby!’

The two lay there.

‘Do you think we should say a prayer or something?’ Clementine said.

‘What, to like, god?’

‘Or whatever. Whoever.’

‘Yeah,’ said Penny, thinking about it. ‘Like, we can put some vibes out there, can’t we? Some good vibes?’

‘Yeah,’ said Clementine. ‘Here, hold my hand.’

Penny rested her arm down by her side and Clementine laced her fingers around her sister’s. ‘Okay,’ she said. ‘Dear … whoever, or whatever, can hear us.’

‘Mum,’ said Penny, simply.

Clementine turned her head to look at her sister, who looked right back at her.

‘Mum can hear us,’ Penny said, and Clementine squeezed her hand twice, a little double pump.