Her friend was true to her word. Less than an hour later, Allison was startled from the chilling numbness by the chiming of the doorbell. It sounded again and again, her friend’s usual impatience ratcheted to extremes by the news she’d heard. Allison struggled to her feet and walked unsteadily to the door. She’d barely opened it when it was pushed inwards. Portia, her face devoid of make-up, enveloped her in a hug of such ferocity Allison gasped and winced as her friend’s holdall walloped her bruised thigh. That fall down the stairs. She’d almost forgotten it. The spillage of wine at lunch. Didn’t accidents come in threes?

Portia spoke into her hair, her breath tickling. ‘I don’t know what to say.’

And true to her word, the normally loudly vocal Portia remained silent in the hug until Allison took a calming breath and pushed her away. ‘Thanks for coming. I needed someone.’ She linked her arm through her friend’s and led her into the living room. ‘I didn’t want to drink alone. Now you’re here, I’m going to get plastered. Is white okay?’

‘Sure.’ Portia was still holding the small holdall. She lifted it, shrugged, then dropped it at her feet and kicked it into the corner of the room. ‘I threw some stuff together. I’m going to stay for a while.’

Allison filled the glass she’d been using, then reached for the other. She pressed her trembling lips together as she picked it up. Peter would have drained a glass, restless to get going. He’d probably have missed lunch. Keeping my appetite, he’d have said. Always determined to get his money’s worth when they went for a meal, determined to finish every bite. He’d have bundled her out the door, draping a heavy arm across her shoulder as they walked the short distance to their favourite restaurant. A place they went to frequently; she wondered vaguely if they were surprised at the no-show… or if they’d even noticed, if they’d cared.

Her fingers closed around the bowl of the glass. ‘Damn him for leaving me.’ The glass went flying, hitting the wall with a crash, shards of broken glass tinkling to the floor.

Portia’s startled yelp was loud. She stepped away, her eyes wide and fearful before reaching to take the bottle from Allison’s hand. ‘Sit. I’ll go and get another glass.’

When she returned, she poured a small amount of wine into her glass.

Allison raised hers towards Portia. ‘Peter and I should be here toasting our first three months together. I’m not supposed to be drinking to my widowhood.’ She gulped a few mouthfuls before sitting.

Portia took the sofa opposite and sipped her wine. ‘I’ll understand if you don’t want to talk about it, but can you at least tell me what happened?’