The freezing air shocks me for a moment, takes my breath and makes me shiver. I’m wearing black jeans, ballet pumps and a black chiffon top, and I’m soaked within seconds. But I ignore my discomfort, frantically glancing left and right in the hope that this time I’ll find her. The high street isn’t busy, but there’s no one around who looks vaguely like the woman I just locked eyes with. Maybe she went into a shop. How will I find her? I head up the road a little way, opening shop doors and glancing in, before moving on.

My teeth chatter as icy rain slides down my face. People are openly staring at me – the mad woman wearing inappropriate clothing in a freezing rain storm.

‘You’ll catch your death, dear.’ An elderly lady puts a hand on my arm as her umbrella strains against the wind. ‘Are you all right?’

‘I’m okay. I’m trying to find my sister. Have you seen anyone who looks a bit like me? She’s got an umbrella and her hood’s up.’ I realise I sound slightly manic and that these last two points apply to ninety-nine per cent of the people out today.

The woman shakes her head. ‘Sorry, no. You need a coat, dear. You’re shivering.’

‘I’ll be fine.’ But even as I say the words, I know what I’m doing is ridiculous. At this rate, I’ll make myself ill, and it’s clear that even if that was Dina, I’m not going to find her like this. Meanwhile, poor Jess is back in the salon still waiting for her blow-dry, and I’m not sure how I’m going to explain the soggy state I’m in.

The woman shakes her head and moves on down the road, occasionally glancing back at me. I’m still looking up and down the street in the hope of spotting Dina when my gaze lands on Jennifer, who’s leaning out of the salon doorway beckoning me back inside, her blonde hair being tugged from perfection by the gusting wind. I give one last cursory glance around me before jogging back down the road, heavy with disappointment. I can’t believe I let my sister elude me for a second time.

‘I’m so sorry.’ As I reach the shop porchway, I shiver out an apology to my boss.

‘What on earth are you doing out here?’ she cries with a worried frown. ‘You’re soaked through. You’re gonna get ill. And you just left your client sitting there. If there’s a problem or emergency, you should have told me!’

‘Honestly, I’m really sorry, Jen. I’ll finish her blow-dry now.’