So, I’m to stick to Davina like glue – if she’ll talk to me again – and, at some point soon, grill Nick. That’s the plan. I begin to fret over making yet another call to Nick. I don’t think it’s a good idea to keep running to him; it’s going to look like I’m really after a reconciliation. He’ll think I’m making up excuses to get him over to the house so I can see him. I pace the lounge a few times, then sit at the table and stare at my laptop screen.

‘God,’ I say aloud. I plonk my elbows on the table and rest my head in my hands. ‘I can’t ring him again. I can’t.’ I pick up my mobile and go to my recent contact list. ‘No, I can do this without him. I need to do this without Nick,’ I chant to myself like a madwoman.

My finger hovers above his name.

‘No. Nope, don’t do it.’ I pull it away again.

The loud tone startles me, and I drop the phone onto the table as it begins ringing.

Nick’s name shows on the display. ‘No way.’ Weird. It’s as though he heard me. I narrow my eyes and glance over my shoulder, a sudden sense of unease creeping over me. But as the ringtone continues to play, with vibrations buzzing loudly against the wood, I shake the strange feeling off. This is merely coincidence, and Nick’s timing saves me continuing the argument with myself. At least I’m not the one running to him. I pick up the phone and accept the call.

‘Hi, Nick. Are you okay?’

‘Hey. Thought I’d check in with you, see how things are going.’

‘Oh, er … thank you.’ I bite my tongue, trying not to immediately cut in and ask him to come over for a chat. He phoned me, so I’ll let him do the speaking for now. But he’s silent. ‘So? Are you okay?’ I prod.

‘Hmmm … not really. But I don’t want to discuss it over the phone.’ He pauses. ‘I can drop by … lunchtime any good?’

‘Not here,’ I say a bit too quickly. ‘Can we meet somewhere else?’

The line goes quiet. Some five seconds later, he responds. ‘How about you come here, to my flat?’

I’m surprised at his suggestion. I haven’t set foot inside his place yet, only dropping the boys at the door to the building on his instruction. I imagine the flat to be small, dingy and messy, and that’s why he never invites me up. I agree to meeting him at one o’clock.