But then she says pointedly, ‘There’s no use my trying to explain to you. You have no idea, Elise, how it feels to … to have nothing. How could you?’

Taken aback, I stare at her. ‘None of us knows what each other’s lives are like. You’ve said it yourself, before. How can we?’ I’m challenging her, wanting her to see how wrong she’s got it. That appearances are meaningless and her assumptions about me are way off, because she has no idea what my life is really like. No-one does.

But she doesn’t get it. ‘Yes, but look at you in that big house, married to the local doctor … You don’t need to work but you do it anyway. For fun, I suppose – getting to wear that uniform, giving you more money to spend and the perfect excuse not to be here.’ Her words are loaded with bitterness.

‘What are you insinuating?’ Quietly seething, I stare at her. ‘What makes you so sure you know what my life is like?’

‘Do you know how many people would give anything to be in your shoes?’ This time, her voice is filled with resentment.

I stare at her, shock hitting me as she makes no attempt to hide her jealousy. It isn’t other people she’s talking about. It’s herself. Stephanie’s jealous of my life. Then her mood suddenly changes. ‘Oh God.’ She looks mortified. ‘I’m so sorry. I should never have said that.’

‘No, you shouldn’t have,’ I snap, already turning away and marching out before she can say anything, I close the door hard behind me before almost walking into Ida Jones.

‘Elise, my dear. How are you? How’s young Niamh?’ In a woollen coat with a colourful knitted scarf, Ida looks puzzled as she takes in my mood.

Hastily I try to compose myself, but Stephanie’s words are still ringing in my ears. ‘We’re fine.’ I try to soften my voice. ‘We’re both fine, thank you … I just called in to see Stephanie. It’s a difficult time for her.’

Ida’s eyes linger on me. ‘You look a little upset. Are you sure you’re all right? It can’t have been easy for you, either, what with—’

But I interrupt. ‘I’m fine. Really. Thank you.’ I glance up at the shop window. ‘I’m sure Stephanie will be pleased to see you.’

‘Yes.’ It’s as though Ida’s speaking to herself. ‘Come for coffee, Elise dear. So much has happened. I haven’t seen you in such a long time.’

I’ve a sudden need to get away from here, to be alone. I nod. ‘I’ll call you – when my next flight schedule comes out.’

*