‘Hmm. About six months. I had an accident about a year ago and it gave me the most horrendous back pain known to man! Anyway, after intensive physio, they told me to try Pilates.’ She leans forward and lowers her voice, even though there’s no one else around. ‘To be honest, I was sceptical at first and didn’t take it seriously. I thought Pilates was what pensioners did in their spare time, but then after about six sessions, my back stopped hurting.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘That will teach me to make assumptions, won’t it?’

‘Really?’ Abby is intrigued now. This woman is turning out to be nothing like she’s imagined.

She peers through the glass then pushes through the door. ‘Better than standing out here, isn’t it?’

Abby follows her in, and they both stand in the vast, empty hall, peering into it as though they might be missing something.

‘Okay, something’s going on here.’ The woman’s voice echoes through the room. ‘It should be set up ready with mats. Maybe they’ve changed the room?’ She studies Abby for a moment. ‘How about you wait here in case anyone does come and I’ll check with reception?’

‘That sounds like a good plan.’ There’s no point telling her there was nobody there when Abby came in; she will have seen that for herself. Instead, she watches her hurry off.

It’s less than a minute before she’s back. ‘Apparently the class was cancelled tonight, and we should have all had an email. I definitely didn’t get one, did you? Actually, you couldn’t have; otherwise you wouldn’t be here and I’d be alone feeling like a complete idiot! Which I am anyway.’ She pulls out her mobile and begins tapping, and Abby watches as slowly her eyes widen. ‘Oh, crap. Here it is. How did I miss that one?’ She’s talking to herself, and Abby can’t help but smile. Sienna is beginning to strike her as just one of those people it’s impossible not to like.

Checking her own phone, there’s no email. From the Pilates instructor or anyone else. ‘I didn’t get one,’ Abby says. ‘Maybe because I only just registered?’

She rolls her eyes. ‘Yep, sounds about right. This place is great but useless as far as admin goes. Unless it involves taking your money, of course. They’re very skilled at that!’

They both laugh, and this is the moment Abby realises she really likes this woman. Yes, she’s a stranger, and she doesn’t even know her name, but it’s the aura people project that attracts you to them, makes you feel like this is someone you’d like to have in your life. Also, if they’ve caught you at the right moment – when you’re vulnerable – then they are impossible to resist.