‘That’s a kind offer,’ said Penny. She wanted to tell him she had plenty of friends, and not a lot of time off, but in that split second she realized the only friend she really had in Havingley was Charlie – and they were an employee, too. Everybody else was a phone call or FaceTime or voice note away, and whilst she was loved and heard and seen, very little of that was actually done in person. The realization of just how starved she was of physical human connection hit her then. She needed more friends. And she certainly needed more time away from the pub, which was hard when she was the one in charge. She’d only really even left Havingley a handful of times since arriving.

‘I would love to go out for a walk with you, actually.’ She meant it. She didn’t realize until he’d asked that she was longing for fresh air, and the outdoors, and, basically, time away from The Red Panda. No wonder she was feeling exhausted lately: she lived and breathed the place. Uncle David had been right.

‘Excellent. I’ll stop by sometime? We’ll walk?’

Penny nodded. It would do her good, she figured. ‘Yeah,’ she said. ‘Awesome.’

‘Okay, awesome.’

He went to say something else but then didn’t.

‘Awesome,’ he repeated, before one of his mates stuck his head around the corner and said,

‘Come on, Eddlington. I’m gagging for a piss.’

11

‘Hey sis,’ said Clementine over a voice note. ‘I know you’ve been feeling rotten, and I’m just so sorry. Your new walking buddy sounds great, though! Like a good distraction. We can’t wait to see you on Boxing Day! I miss you. I know it’s only a small consolation but Uncle David said how happy he is the place is in good hands. I think it really does bring him comfort, you know. Everything is good here. I mean, we’re dangerously close to budget and I’m still trying to talk Stella out of the more expensive decisions but that’s project management! It never stops! Love you, sis. You’re doing so, so well. I … I wish I was there. I know me feeling guilty doesn’t help anything, but I think of you all the time.’

How’s it going, friend? Stoke Newington misses you! a text from Sharon read.

What about that for a view? said Uncle David in the family WhatsApp, attaching a photo of the sea meeting the horizon, as taken from a bench in his new garden.