She’s even been to the doctor. The woman GP listened for far longer than their allotted eight minutes’ appointment time as Freya talked through the sanitised version of the problem – the death of her boyfriend, unable to sleep, working too hard, struggling to cope. She was handed a prescription for Zopiclone and told to book another appointment after a fortnight. It was no more than Freya expected, but actually just the act of talking about it helped. She’s cut back at work to her normal contracted hours, and spent evenings at home, catching up on Netflix. She’s even been on a night out with the girls, reluctantly enjoying herself in a hot and noisy bar over too many cocktails.

Perhaps she is ready.

Josh comes over to stand with the two of them, then looks confused at Mina’s expression.

‘What?’ he asks, smiling.

‘I’m going to go,’ Mina says. ‘Leave you two to it.’

‘To what?’ Josh says, puzzled.

‘Josh,’ Freya starts. ‘Can you answer something for me?’

‘Anything.’

‘I heard a rumour that the reason you and Elise split up was because you slept with someone one month after you arrived here.’

‘Bloody police station gossip.’ Josh shakes his head in disbelief. ‘Half true.’

‘Which half?’

They start walking slowly away from the graveyard, down the neat gravel path towards their cars.

‘Yes, I slept with someone a month after I got here. But Elise and I had already split up by then.’

‘Promise?’

‘Promise.’

They stop next to Freya’s car. Josh reaches up and pulls the tie away from his neck, then undoes the top button of his shirt. The action makes something flip in Freya’s stomach. Something she hasn’t felt for a while.

‘Why?’ he says with a slight smile.

‘Just wondering.’

‘Why?’ he asks again. He’s close to her now, and Freya can smell his aftershave, something she could definitely get used to.

Maybe it’s the simple act of standing in a graveyard, reminding her that life is short. Or maybe it’s Sandra’s words from a few weeks before: don’t leave it too late. But Freya decides to take the leap.

‘Does that offer still stand?’ she asks. She’s desperately trying to play it cool, but she can’t help the smile creeping onto her face.

‘Which one?’ But his expression betrays his mock innocence.

‘You know exactly which one.’

‘Are you asking me out, Freya West?’

‘Yes. Now stop taking the piss or I’ll change my mind.’

He laughs. ‘There is nothing I would like more,’ he replies.

Freya feels her face flush and quickly gets into her car, leaving him standing in the car park. She closes the door and starts the engine. Through the window, she can see Josh watching her, his hands in his pockets, a big grin on his face.