‘Not so much at the moment. I’m on a short-haul block.’ Though, on a good day, I still get a hit of sunlight through the aircraft windows as we break through the clouds. ‘Actually, I wanted to talk to you – about Hollie.’ I pause. ‘I saw her this morning.’

As I watch, a shadow crosses her face.

I frown. ‘Is everything OK? It’s just that she seemed quite upset.’

This time Stephanie looks straight at me. ‘Since you ask, no. It really isn’t.’ Her voice is tearful. ‘Hollie flits around doing as she pleases, not thinking how her behaviour affects all of us … I try so hard, Elise. To give her stability, to understand her. But she gives nothing back. It’s difficult.’

It’s the first I’ve heard of anything like this. ‘Does James know about this?’

‘He doesn’t see it.’ Stephanie’s words are hollow. ‘When it comes to Hollie, he has a complete blind spot.’

I hesitate. ‘It can’t be easy for you. And I suppose Hollie losing her mother the way she did … It’s so sad.’ I pause, not wanting to get drawn in any further. ‘I just thought you’d want to know she was upset, that was all.’ I glance around, looking for a way to change the subject, my eyes alighting on a row of small plants, with dark green fern-like leaves, arranged on a shelf. ‘Those are unusual.’

‘I got them next door.’ She sighs. ‘Look, Hollie is angry – I’ve no idea why. I won’t bore you with the details but I was on the phone to the school just before you came in. It isn’t just today. She’s missing too many classes. James needs to be firmer with her, but he never confronts her.’ She breaks off. ‘I’m sorry. You don’t need to know all this. None of our lives are perfect, are they?’

Her eyes hold mine a little too long and, in that moment, I wonder if she knows about Andrew. Could Stephanie be the woman he’s having an affair with? I stare at her, trying to imagine them together, then snap myself out of it. I can’t go on suspecting everyone I meet. To the best of my knowledge, Andrew goes for younger, less subtle women – Stephanie isn’t his type. ‘I always thought you and Hollie got on well.’

‘So did I. We used to.’ Stephanie’s voice wavers, then she glances through the window as a car pulls up. ‘My next client. I should get ready. Was there anything else?’

‘Oh.’ I’d almost forgotten. ‘Yes. My highlights … I don’t suppose you could fit me in sometime?’

Opening her diary again, she scans the page. ‘I’m busy the rest of today. But how about Monday? First thing?’

Today is Friday. ‘Perfect. Thank you.’ The door opens and her next client comes in. ‘I’ll let you get on.’