Whatever happens? What does that mean? I open my mouth to ask him, but he is talking again, about the case he’s working on, generic stuff, and I tune out letting my mind wander. What does he mean by that? Maybe it’s nothing, but still, it’s an odd thing to say. The waitress brings our food. By the time it arrives I think I am hungry, the wine enhancing my appetite, but when she lays the plate in front of me the scent of fish and cream wafts up and I think for a moment I’ll be sick.

‘Excuse me, I just need to …’ I get up, head to the ladies’. The air is cool in the bathroom, and I splash my cheeks gently with cold water, careful not to smudge my make-up. The nausea dies away as I draw in some deep breaths and I grip the sink tightly with both hands until I feel ready to face Rav again. It’s fine, everything is fine.

‘OK?’ His phone is in his hands as I approach, and he drops it to the table, clicking the side button to darken the screen. His steak sits half eaten on the plate, and my fish pie is cold and congealing.

‘Yes. Fine. How’s your steak?’ I pretend I haven’t seen him on his phone and pick up my fork, taking the tiniest bite of mashed potato.

‘Really good, I’ve missed this place.’ He spears a piece of meat and I keep my eyes on my plate, the nausea still not quite gone for good. Rav starts talking again, but I can’t concentrate. My mind is at home with the children, wondering if they are OK, if they are still asleep. Wondering if Agnes is walking the landing, filling the space left by my absence. I glance towards the window, to where the sky is turning a deep indigo. I wonder if the fox is in the garden, if the trees are silent. I wonder whether Evie has heard the scratching, what she thinks of it.

‘… Naomi.’ Her name is the only part of Rav’s sentence that I catch.

‘Sorry, Rav, what did you say? I was miles away.’ I give a small apologetic smile, shedding any pretence of eating and laying my fork down. Rav’s eyes flick towards my plate but he says nothing.

‘I was just saying that I hope Evie is getting on OK. It would be quite nice to have an extra babysitter on hand if Mum is busy, or Naomi.’

‘Mmmm,’ I say non-committally. I am not in any hurry to leave the children again any time soon.

‘Have you spoken to Naomi today?’ Rav asks, as he finishes his last mouthful of food.