I get it; I would worry if Lottie brought home a male equivalent. I was twenty-two, but I felt so much older. I had spent time on the periphery of society, and Cora sensed that even if Tim didn’t. There was nothing that they could show off to their friends about, unless it was my grit and determination, so I try not to be angry or to judge. In fact, part of me grudgingly admires Cora. She’s made of the same stuff as my grandmother: tough, hard-working and doesn’t bear fools easily. But that acceptance has come with hindsight. At the time I was devastated.

When we left, Lottie, normally chatty, didn’t speak for the entire journey. Nick and I talked, but there was a constraint between us that hadn’t been there before. When we got home he scooped Lottie up, pulled me into his embrace and held us tight.

‘We don’t have to do that again for a long time,’ he said with a heartfelt sigh.

As long as they don’t interfere in our lives, I can bear the odd mean-spirited remark without reacting. For better or worse, we’re stuck with each other and I will always try to be nice, for Nick’s sake.

‘Grace?’ Tim’s voice is deep and resonant, like an actor’s. ‘What’s going on?’

‘Oh, Tim.’

It’s a relief to talk to him. Unlike his wife, he listens to my story without me feeling like he’s holding the phone away from his ear.

‘That doesn’t sound like Nick,’ he says.

‘Exactly. It’s not like him at all. I honestly don’t know what to do next.’

‘Have you informed his office?’

‘I’ve told them he’s ill. I didn’t want to turn it into a catastrophe when he might reappear at any moment.’

‘Do you want us to come up?’

‘No, that’s really kind of you, but not yet. I just wanted you to know so that you’d keep an eye on your phones. He may try and get in touch with you.’

I hear Cora’s voice in the background, but not what she’s saying. She takes the phone back, and I imagine her nudging Tim away with her hip.

‘If there are any developments, I’d appreciate it if you would tell us immediately. This is not all about you, Grace.’

That hurts. It’s not the impression I thought I was giving. ‘Of course it isn’t. Why would you say that?’

‘Because thinking about other people has never been your strong point, has it?’

Do not react. She’s his mother. She’s still trying to get her head round what’s happened. I close my eyes, count to three. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll call you if I hear anything at all.’