I spin her chair around and give her a handheld mirror so she can see the back of her head in the main mirror. ‘You look really stunning, Cassie. What do you think?’

She pats the back of her head and pulls a few strands at the front. ‘It really is short.’

‘It is,’ I agree. ‘But it suits you. You’ll definitely cause a stir. Are you going to post an “after” picture on Instagram?’

Cassie checks her phone. ‘Sorry, Zoe, but I’m going to have to go.’

‘Oh, okay. Is everything all right?’

‘Yeah, fine. Just running a bit late.’ She stands and hands me back the mirror, while trying to extricate herself from her gown. ‘I’ve got to meet Lyle.’

Cassie hastily pays, without leaving a tip, and almost dashes out of the salon. I can’t help feeling worried by her sudden departure, but Jennifer is reassuring, telling me that I’m worrying over nothing. ‘You did a great job, Zo. She looks just like a blonde Audrey Hepburn – stop stressing. This will be such good publicity for the salon. I hope she does an Instagram post soon. Did you remind her to tag us?’

‘No, I forgot. I’m sure she will, but if she doesn’t I’ll message her.’

‘Brilliant. Well done, Zoe. I’m buzzing.’

But despite Jennifer’s optimism, I’m more than a little uneasy. I don’t know how my life has suddenly become so confused and complicated. Lately, it seems as if the whole world is behaving oddly. I can’t seem to get a straight answer out of anyone. And after Cassie’s strange comments about Dina, my instincts are telling me that something there is definitely off.

Fifteen

NOW

‘We’ve run out of Cheerios.’ Alice waves the empty box at me.

I slosh boiling water over the teabag in my mug. ‘Who put the empty box back in the cupboard?’

‘It wasn’t me,’ she replies, outraged that I would dare suggest such a thing. She looks pointedly at her brother.

‘I didn’t.’ Jamie’s eyes are wide.

‘Must have been the fairies then.’ I give my children a stern look.

‘What about Daddy?’ Jamie points at his father accusingly.

‘Don’t look at me.’ Toby raises his hands in the air. ‘I think it must have been the Cheerio Monster.’

The three of them laugh and giggle at the kitchen table, while I continue multitasking, making the children’s packed lunches, emptying the tumble dryer and trying to eat a hasty breakfast of tea and Ryvita.

‘Right, you two, go upstairs and bring your school things down.’

No one responds.

‘Alice, Jamie! Get your school stuff!’

‘We’re playing monsters with Daddy,’ Jamie says, followed by a roar.

‘Now. Or we’ll be late.’

‘Do as your mother says.’ Toby ruffles Jamie’s hair and they reluctantly slope off upstairs.