I nod. Lottie’s job as case manager for a charity dealing with displaced refugee children is emotionally as well as mentally demanding. It’s a wonder she can stay so upbeat with the amount of tragedy she has to absorb week in week out. I feel even worse now, imagining Lottie sitting alone in the flat with no one to talk to.

‘That’s why I’m so looking forward to Christmas,’ she says, taking a sip of wine. ‘I know it’s a couple of months away but you know how I like to plan. It’ll be heaven to just switch off for the holidays and be with my best friend, watching Love Actually and stuffing our faces. That reminds me, we’ll have to order the turkey well in advance. Remember how quickly they sold out last year. Will Georgie still be doing her Boxing Day lunch, do you think?’

‘Lottie, what I’m trying to tell you is –’ I begin, my stomach twisting. I’d forgotten about Christmas and how Lottie starts planning it as soon as the clocks go back. Now I feel even worse. ‘Well, it’s just that, like I said, Connor and I were talking and we feel like we’re ready to take the next step.’

Lottie looks at me, her smile fading.

‘Which is why … which is why I’m going to have to give my notice on the flat,’ I say, forcing the words out. ‘I’m so sorry to have to do this, and I will stay until you find a new flatmate. I’ll help you find one. There’s a lovely woman called Claire who’s just started at Luna. She’s moved down from Newcastle and is really sweet and –’

‘Hold on,’ says Lottie, visibly shaken. ‘Can you slow down, please. Have I got this right? You’re telling me you’re moving out?’

‘Yes,’ I say, my cheeks burning, as always happens in stressful situations. ‘I … I love him, Lottie. I want to be with him.’

‘This all feels really rushed,’ she says. ‘I mean, we’ve only just renewed our lease. You could have said then that you were planning this.’

‘That was six months ago, Lottie,’ I say. ‘I hadn’t even met Connor at that point.’

‘But you hardly know him,’ says Lottie, raising her voice. ‘Like you said, you only met him a few months ago.’

‘It feels right,’ I say, trying to keep my voice calm. ‘I can’t explain … it’s just, well, I love him and I want to be with him.’

‘You see him all the time,’ she says, her eyes blazing. ‘Why do something as extreme as move in with him?’

‘Lottie, I thought you’d understand. I thought you’d be happy for me,’ I say, feeling increasingly on edge. ‘I don’t know why you’re being like this. It’s not like I’m ending our friendship or anything.’