‘God yes, I’d love that. I’ll come straight over. Be with you by eight.’ As the phone went dead, Maggie stared at the display. She’d meant a phone call, not a visit. She laughed at the situation. Sarah was even lonelier than her. At least her house was clean, she thought, resting a bottle of wine on the kitchen table. Wine and a catch-up with an old friend … not a bad way to spend a Saturday evening. She turned the dial on the wall up a couple of precious notches to draw in some extra heat.

Sarah was at her door in a flash, bottle of wine in hand. ‘Snap,’ Maggie said, gesturing at the Merlot as Sarah followed her into the kitchen.

‘There’s nothing better than a friend, unless it’s a friend with wine. I stopped off for fish and chips on the way.’ She raised the bag in her hand. ‘The portions are massive. I hope you’ll share.’

‘Oh no, I’ve had supper, but I’ll pick at a few chips.’ It seemed rude to turn down Sarah’s offer. They sat in the kitchen, the smell of salt and vinegar wafting from the plate before them as Sarah filled her friend in on her life to date.

‘Listen to me, blabbering away. I hope I wasn’t too forward, coming over like this.’

‘Don’t be silly. I rang you, remember?’ It felt like old times, being in her friend’s company. The years may have added a few extra wrinkles, but she was still the same warm-hearted Sarah that Maggie had come to love.

‘So, your turn, Maggie. Fill me in.’

‘There’s not much to say.’ She picked at the plate of chips. ‘I’ve been holding the fort since Lewis ended up in hospital. We’ve got his army pension and his medical cover, so we’re getting by. I work part-time in the Lakeside Hotel and I visit Lewis in hospital when I can. I’d bring Elliott but it upsets him, seeing his daddy so unwell.’ Her heart heavy, Maggie paused to sip her wine. ‘After all that time in Helmand Province and he almost gets blown up on a training exercise.’ The story of how Lewis had saved his fellow soldiers had been all over the press. How the pilot of the army helicopter had suffered a heart attack. How Lewis had run towards the explosion as it hit the army base with force. He saved many lives, but at what cost? She glanced at her friend, who was looking equally sorrowful. ‘Look at me, getting all maudlin. I have something that will cheer us both up.’

She reached for the old photo album she had taken down from the loft earlier that day. Laying it out before them, she flicked through each page. ‘Oh my God, look at those dodgy perms!’ Sarah laughed, pointing at a picture of her and Maggie as teens.