“Thanks.” Veronica sucked in a deep breath. “I get a bit overwhelmed by it all every so often.”

“One day at a time.” Natalie was using the same advice she’d given Kate.

“I just need to go home for a while, see Jack and Bob, walk in my garden.”

The oven timer buzzed. Veronica lifted her head then gasped and put her fingers to her lips. Natalie looked down to see what she was staring at. Several strands of golden hair lay on Natalie’s black top.

“They warned me it would happen. I found some this morning on my pillow.” Veronica flicked frantically at Natalie’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“There’s more in my brush each time I do my hair. I don’t want to lose it. It’s the one thing I can’t face.”

“Oh, Veronica. I can’t imagine what you’re going through but I’m sure you can do it.” Natalie reached around her again and pulled her close. They sat like that a moment longer, then Veronica sniffed into a hanky and shuffled upright.

“There’s lots of time to think over your life when you’re having treatment.” She wiped her eyes and looked at Natalie. “I never apologised to you—”

“There’s no need.” Natalie flapped her hands, not wanting to have this conversation.

“Yes, there is. I’m sorry, Natalie. I cringe when I think of what I did. I was young and stupid and drunk. I can’t think of any other excuse for what happened. Not that anything much did happen,” she added quickly, her cheeks turning pink.

“It’s past history now,” Natalie said, glad that she and Milt had talked things through or she didn’t know how she’d manage this conversation.

“All those wasted years.”

Natalie frowned.

“We’re neighbours. We could’ve seen more of each other.”

Natalie recalled the photo of their last social tennis day, the smiling faces. “We can’t change the past.”

“I know.” Veronica flopped against the back of the couch and dabbed at her eyes again then a grin tugged at the corners of her lips. “Do you know the reason I gave Bob for not wanting to talk to you? I told him that Olive had been rude to me.” She pressed her fingers to her lips. “Poor Olive.”

“It’s not so hard to imagine,” Natalie said.

Veronica snorted. “She can be outspoken, can’t she? You’re a saint to have lived with her all these years. Anyway, I told Bob you defended her and said some awful things and that I was extremely hurt. He’s such a softie. I felt bad lying to him but I could never tell him the real reason I wanted to avoid you all.” Her eyes widened. “Not even now.”

“He won’t hear it from me.”