She was the very opposite of minding, Esther assured them, inwardly marvelling that she could ever have imagined the closeness of the duo was something to envy. It had definitely got worse in the long gap since they had last met. In fact, it creeped her out. If she were Shona, she would be tearing her hair out and screaming let me do my own bloody napkin. When pressed again, by both of them, about her weekend, she had skated over Marcus and talked obligingly about how fine the art galleries were, before blurting out the baffling discovery of Dylan’s passport.

‘I need the Ladies,’ Esther said now, getting to her feet, ‘and I can see where Shona’s got to,’ she added, scooting off before Carole could say anything.

Shona was at the basins, running a comb through her hair, which had been reduced to flat curls by a recent chopping. ‘It’s gone sort of weird.’ She jabbed at the limp, floppy waves with the comb. ‘But Carole likes it.’

‘Wait for me, won’t you?’ said Esther, disappearing into a cubicle.

‘So, Dylan’s in the UK – that has to be good, doesn’t it?’ Shona said, the moment Esther reappeared. She had transferred her attentions from her hair to her face, dabbing concealer over the high colour in her cheeks between further disconsolate pokes at her hair.

‘I suppose. Except it could still be Ulan Bator for all the difference it makes.’

‘Someone must know where he is, Esther. I mean, no one just goes off-grid these days, least of all the young. They need the grid, for heaven’s sake, it’s their lifeblood – much to their detriment half the time, but there you go. What about Lily? They were always close, weren’t they?’

Esther shook her head miserably.

‘Oh, come here.’ Shona put her arms round her even though she was washing her hands. ‘He’ll be fine. That boy of yours was always one to plough his own furrow – or at least to try and plough his own furrow, despite your and Lucas’s best efforts. Sounds like he didn’t want to retake those exams, that’s for sure.’

‘There was also a girl, who broke his heart,’ Esther murmured, ‘another thing I’ve only just found out and Lily didn’t know about.’

‘Well, there you go,’ said Shona stoutly, ‘he’s a typical teenager. Like we were, once upon a time. Telling our families anything – are you kidding? He’s licking his wounds. Till he gets fed up and appears on the doorstep.’

‘Thanks, Shone.’ Esther tugged a couple of paper towels out of the dispenser and dabbed at her hands. ‘And you’re all right, are you?’

‘Oh, yes…’ She circled her belly with her arms.

‘No, at least, I mean, between you and Carole. Is all well? I mean… I am always here if…’

‘If what?’ said Carole, poking her head round the half-open door.