‘Yes, Naomi came to get me.’ Avó sighs, waddling over to the garden chairs and stiffly lowering herself into the nearest one. ‘Be a darling, get me some water, won’t you?’

I move towards the open door into the kitchen, before I realize it isn’t me she’s talking to but Naomi. Naomi darts inside and Avó and I are alone.

‘Did Rav ask you to come over?’ I ask as she taps the seat of the chair next to her. Despite not wanting to sit, Avó is a woman who commands respect, so I sit.

‘I can come and see my own daughter-in-law, can’t I?’ She tuts. ‘You are always so touchy, Allie. Always asking why do you do this, why do you do that. I have come to make sure you are OK.’

‘I’m fine,’ I say, but tears sting my eyes. ‘You have been speaking to Rav. It was just a nightmare, there’s nothing to worry about.’

‘Of course I have. He’s my son. When you are old, like me, you will speak to Mina and Leo often as well.’

I think of my mother, never one for telephone conversations, unless she was calling to check on me to see where I was. As a teenager we never needed long telephone conversations, as she would never let me leave her for long enough to require it. Now, I wish she was here every day. I wish she didn’t hate Rav, I wish she could come for dinner, and ask for lifts, and spoil the children the way Avó does.

‘Yes, you’re right.’ The prickliness in me subsides and I attempt to change the subject. ‘Rav gave me the tea. Thank you for sending it over, it was very thoughtful of you.’ I don’t mention the sleepwalking. If Rav hasn’t told her everything, there’s no need for me to mention it.

‘Oh, that wasn’t really from me.’ Avó flaps a hand. ‘I got it from Naomi – she comes to visit me sometimes. I told her you weren’t sleeping so well and so she brought the tea the next time she came. She said I would probably see you before her, that she was working so hard in the shop without you there.’

‘Oh. Well, thank you anyway.’ My mind is whirring away nineteen to the dozen. Naomi gave her the tea. Gave ME the tea. Does Rav know it came from Naomi? I think of the exhaustion, the way it came on so quickly. Was it just tea? Or was there something else in it? The last time she made me tea, when I twisted my ankle, I had fallen asleep after drinking it. I swallow, suddenly feeling very hot.