‘Wine.’ It was more of an order than a question so I pointed her in the direction of a bottle of red and two glasses.

‘That poor girl,’ she said as she handed me one. ‘I had no idea she was that unhappy. Did you?’ She looked at me, as though waiting for a response, then continued. ‘I wonder if it was the stress of her exhibition. Or something to do with Jake? Had they been arguing?’

I shook my head.

‘Had her mum been in touch? Fucking bitch. Who treats their child like that? Didn’t you tell me that her dad killed himself? It wasn’t the anniversary or anything, was it?’ She pulled out a chair and topped up her glass. ‘Did I tell you that Lloyd came round tonight? He’s only bloody knocked up the woman he left me for. Someone from work. Melissa he said her name was. Never heard of her. Anyway, he wants to get a divorce and sell the house so he can buy somewhere for her and the baby. Can you fucking believe it? I know he doesn’t give two shits about me but you’d have thought he wouldn’t want Caleb turfed out on the street. Wouldn’t you, Claire? Wouldn’t you think—

‘Oh Jesus!’ She jumped up as my glass shattered on the floor and a blood-red stain puddled around my feet. ‘Claire, your wine! Are you okay? Don’t worry. I’ll mop it up.’

‘Claire. Claire, love.’ Mark taps me on the knee. ‘I think we should go in now.’

It takes me a couple of seconds to register where I am. ‘I’m sorry?’

‘To see Kira,’ he says. ‘Jake said he wants to get off home soon but we haven’t seen Kira yet. You ready?’

I shake my head. I still feel as though I’m hovering six feet above my body.

‘I’d like to see her alone for a bit.’ The words sound as though someone else is speaking them. ‘Is that okay?’

Chapter 64

She has her back to me. Her long blonde hair is a mass of tangles and a thin white hospital blanket has been pulled up and over her shoulders. The curtain has been pulled around her bed to give her some privacy but the ward is alive with the sound of other patients coughing and sniffing and talking in low voices.

‘Kira? Kira, it’s Claire.’