“Now we’re here, shall I make us tea?” asked Mary. “Tea and biscuits and then we can go out. Eric’s looking after Robin this evening so I’m free. What d’you say? Film and meal, just the three of us, like it used to be?”

What I wanted to say was that I felt tired and agitated and my heart was bouncing in my chest like a rubber ball and all I wanted to do was wait by the phone, but their two kind, familiar faces showed such concern that I said, “That would be very nice.”

I GOT HOME just after midnight and ran to check the new phone. There were no messages but there was one missed call. I picked up the mobile. Resting in my hand, it felt like a bomb that might go off at any time. In bed, the phone on the table beside me, I could feel myself fizzing with excitement and dread, and when I finally slept, it was fitfully, to taunting dreams.

FRANCES KISSED ME on both cheeks. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve got to dash out in an hour or so and I won’t be back until midafternoon. It would be great if you could go through the new brochure for me. I’ve got to get it to the printers this afternoon and it’s littered with errors.”

“It’s not that I mind, but what about Beth?”

“Oh, you can show it to her, but she’s no use. She studied events management at university, which means she can barely read or write.”

“Fine. I’ll do my best.”

“Let’s have coffee first, though.”

“Shall I get it?”

“No, no. Let me.”

There was a hectic air about her: she couldn’t seem to sit still; she kept taking her glasses off and putting them on again, running her hand through her hair.

“Are you all right?” I asked.

“Me? Fine. Why do you ask?”

“You seem a bit restless.”

“Maybe I am. Strange times.”

“I’m sure.”

“I’m really glad you’re around, though, Gwen. I don’t have many women friends I can talk to.”

That she counted me a friend filled me with fresh shame. I buried my face in my coffee cup to hide my expression.

“It’s funny, isn’t it?” she continued. “Sometimes I think women are much more rivalrous and catty with each other than they ever are with men. Don’t you agree?”

She was probably remembering Milena, but I thought of Gwen and Mary as they had been last night, their grumpy, unflagging loyalty and love, and shook my head. “Not always,” I said.

“Do you have close friends?”

“A few.”