‘Oh.’ Did the woman always speak in italics? ‘Well, thank you.’

‘With your gorgeous son, of course. Both your sons. It’s a way to mark the end of the summer break and unwind. Sing-songs and midnight dips.’ Her green eyes were like a snake’s, flicking back and forth, hypnotizing me. ‘Honestly, it’s so restorative, being in nature, yah?’

I thought of my high-rise building. When had I last been in nature? I didn’t think taking Mrs Goodrich’s fat bulldog down to the green for a wee amongst the Hi-energy cans and spliff-ends counted. ‘Sure.’

‘So you are up for it? Oh, that’s fantastic. You and…’

‘Zach?’ I said dumbly.

‘And? Your other boy—’

I shook my head. ‘And Ali’s in Berlin – and she’s a girl.’

‘Just you and Zach then. The kids can bond before school starts.’

‘Right.’ What was this obsession with Zach? The intimacy of Marcus moving his chair towards me, minutes ago; what had he been about to say?

My brain felt as foggy as the window while Nella moved faster than a rattlesnake across sand.

‘Thank you, really, it’s very kind, but we – we might be away.’ Where though? On a trip up north to see my mum; my moany sister, Eleanor? I’d rather eat my own eyeballs, even if it was our only chance of a holiday this year.

‘We usually do it on Carnival these days, so – maybe that weekend?’

‘We always go to Carnival.’ I just about refrained from growling. Though actually since Jonny – I didn’t have the same inclination.

‘Oh, we used to too.’ She smiled kindly. ‘Only, with rising knife crime and – you know.’ Her expression was weird. ‘I expect you worry, don’t you, what with…’ She paused again.

‘Zach!’

‘Gosh, sorry, with Zach being…’

‘What?’ I frowned. ‘A lad? Or half-black?’ Not even half officially; only a quarter really, but our heritage wasn’t her business. And it was both, not half, of course.

‘Look, please don’t be offended, Rud— Ruby. I just want to be inclusive. Be friends, you know.’

‘I’d love to come.’ I stood up. I really didn’t get what exactly it was she wanted from me. ‘But work’s so busy at the moment.’

‘Well then! Camping it is, as a prelude to the street party. Marcus!’ Nella called to her husband, who was collecting a box at the counter from a scowling Dores and pressing one of those fifty-pound notes on her. ‘Ruby absolutely deserves a mini-break, doesn’t she?’

Marcus shot me a devastating smile, and a thumbs up. ‘I’ll say.’

‘See you at four for the party meeting at the vicarage,’ Nella said, beaming. ‘Don’t be late, or you might miss out on grabbing your favourite stall! I really just want everyone to be happy.’

How very far from the truth I’d soon believe that to be.

Melissa

I went to the meeting at the vicarage, partly because I made sure Jan Vermaak knocked for me, but also, honestly, because it meant fending Rex off a bit longer on a day he imagined was invented purely for his conjugal rights. That’s what Saturdays were for, right?