“It’ll be another ten minutes or so. Why don’t you sit down?” Veronica brushed a hand over her spotless bench. “I can get you a drink. I don’t have any wine but I think we’ve got brandy in the cupboard. I’ve gone off alcohol. Or there’s orange juice or mineral water.”

“Mineral water’s fine but I can get it myself.”

“That’s okay, you sit down.”

Natalie went back to the lounge and sat in the chair she’d last occupied over five weeks ago. She looked around the tidy room. This time it was comfortably warm. She watched Veronica through the arch as she poured the drinks. She was impeccably dressed as always, with a mustard-coloured cardigan over a white tee and blue jeans, and a leopard print scarf knotted neatly at her neck.

“Here you are.” She handed Natalie a glass, sat on the couch, kicked off her shoes and tucked her feet gracefully beneath her. Her face was perfectly made up and her long blonde hair piled neatly on her head. She was undergoing treatment for cancer and looked as if she’d stepped out of a fashion magazine while Natalie felt like she’d been pulled through a prickle bush backward.

“You’re looking good,” Natalie said. “How do you feel?”

“Surprisingly well. I get tired but I’m not nauseous. Just off food a bit with a funny taste in my mouth. That’s why, when I have a yearning for something, I try to cook it. Bit like when I was pregnant and had all those weird cravings.”

Natalie nodded. She hadn’t ever had cravings. They both sipped their drinks and she searched frantically for something else to talk about. How had it come to this? Sharing an apartment and a meal with the woman she’d tried to avoid for most of her married life.

“When’s Kate due?” Veronica broke the silence.

“End of December.”

“You might have a grandchild for Christmas.” She clapped her hands. “How exciting. I don’t suppose you’ve had a chance to shop for baby things yet?”

“No.” Natalie hadn’t given that a thought.

“I can’t wait to have grandchildren. I don’t imagine Jack will be first. He doesn’t even have a girlfriend. The girls might though, once they come home from their travels…” Her face fell. “I’m sorry. I’m raving on. I might be pushing my luck expecting to see grandchildren.” Tears glistened in her eyes.

Natalie’s heart softened. She moved across and sat on the couch.

“Don’t talk like that. You’re strong.”

“I try to be.”

Natalie lifted an arm, hesitated then put it across Veronica’s shoulders. Immediately she rested her head against Natalie.

“You’ve got a loving family supporting you.” Natalie patted her. “You’ll beat this and you’ll get to enjoy grandchildren.”