We leave the house, hunched against the cold wind and spitting rain, and walk the short distance to school. I have another anxious drop-off, trying to avoid running into Madeline or Kim at the school gates. Luckily, as we approach the building, the sleety rain grows heavier, so I keep my hood up and my head bent low, making my escape as soon as the kids have run inside. Maybe I should face them. After all, Toby is adamant that Madeline doesn’t have a problem with me. But I don’t have the mental energy right now. I wonder what sort of anniversary party I’m going to have with close friends and family ignoring me. I think I’d be tempted to cancel if it wasn’t two days away.

For the rest of the morning, work keeps me busy and stops me dwelling on my mounting worries. Instead, I focus on the haircuts, and on my clients’ chatter, hearing about their loves, lives and holiday plans.

‘Do you want me to blow-dry it straight or wavy today?’

My current client is Jess, a twenty-something medical student home from university for the holidays.

‘Straight please. I can never get it as smooth as you do, so I’m going to take advantage of your skills.’ Jess has thick brown hair that tends to go frizzy. She’s a sweet girl; I’ve been cutting her hair since she was a kid.

‘Straight it is.’ I pick up my comb and unhook the hairdryer.

Jess sighs. ‘But looking at that weather, I’m not sure if there’s any point.’ We simultaneously turn to look through the plate-glass window at the relentless rain. ‘I’m supposed to be going to a party tonight.’

‘You can borrow a brolly if you like.’

‘Thanks, I’ve got one, but it won’t make much difference – that rain is flying sideways. Never mind.’

I’m about to say something sympathetic, but as I’m looking out at the rain, a woman stops and stares into the salon window. She’s standing beneath a black umbrella and wearing a raincoat with the hood pulled up. I catch her eye and I freeze, my breath stopping in my throat. It’s Dina!

I barely have time to blink before she’s moved on, out of my view. This time, I don’t hesitate. I drop the hairdryer, and mumble a half-formed, ‘Sorry,’ to Jess, and race outside.