‘That’s okay.’ There was something in her voice. ‘I don’t need it to book the flights. I know your name. You can pay me back later. Or … whatever. I can take care of it. I’m planning this one, remember.’

I felt a crackle of anger along my spine. A resort. A wedding coordinator. It was all too much, too expensive. And she talked about it like it was nothing.

‘Just make sure you get the time off work, okay?’

‘Sure,’ I said, looking at my hands, imagining them transparent, rotting away. Leprosy. ‘I will.’

She made a muffled sound. ‘Hey, my other line is ringing, I have to go. I’ve got to organise an appointment with the dress place for us, so I’ll call you soon, all right?’

‘Sure,’ I said.

‘Okay, good. Bye.’

‘Bye.’ But she was gone. I looked at my phone for a minute, then put it down on the table, taking a long, deep breath and trying to settle my stomach.

‘You all right, Cait?’ Nic asked.

‘’Course,’ I said, standing up and heading over to my locker. ‘Just family stuff.’

‘Going somewhere?’

‘What?’ I started looking for a clean shirt. ‘No, not really.’

The words startled me even as they came out of my mouth.

Nic coughed and stood up. ‘Okay, then,’ he said. ‘I’ll see you up there.’

I nodded, and before I turned around again he was gone.

‘Jesus, Caitie. What is up with you?’ Nic asked, after the dinner rush. I couldn’t tell from his tone how he meant it, and I didn’t want to think about it. I didn’t want to think about anything.

Talking to Lina had rattled me. I couldn’t stop thinking about that resort, all that money.

‘What?’ I kept my eyes on the coffee machine, bouncing up and down on my toes, trying to keep warm as I twisted a portafilter into the group head. My jaw was locked tight along with it. ‘Have I fucked something?’

He laughed. ‘You tell me.’

‘I already have, Nicholas.’

‘That’s not my name, Caitlin.’ He paused. ‘Tom came in last night. After you’d left.’

I frowned. It had been quiet and Nic wanted Holly to learn to stock, so he’d sent me home early. ‘So? I’m busy, Nic.’

‘You’re fine.’

‘I’m not. I’m behind.’ I wasn’t, but looking at the bar, it was impossible to tell.

‘I’ll help you then.’

It sounded more like a threat than a favour. I shook my head, but when he came around the bar and started opening beers, I let him.

‘He asked about you.’

‘Okay.’ I poured skim milk into a jug.

‘So?’ He raised an eyebrow.

I started warming the milk, waiting for the metal under my fingers to heat up. ‘We’re friends. If that. We had a drink. Once.’

‘And nothing happened?’