‘Nick and I?’ he says again, looking at me quizzically from the doorway.

‘Why d’you keep saying that?’ I glare at him.

‘Oh, nothing,’ he blusters. ‘I just wondered.’

‘You wondered what? Who Nick is? He’s Penny’s son. You met briefly at Izzy’s party, remember?’

‘Oh, that Nick,’ he says, infuriatingly.

I study his face, wondering what he’s getting at here, then stride past him on my way to take Izzy a drink of juice in the living room.

He trails after me as if I am an estate agent, showing him around the house. ‘So, are you seeing quite bit of him, then? This Nick, I mean?’

Izzy’s not there. I hear her pottering about upstairs. I switch off the TV and start to gather up her pens and colouring books from where she’s left them scattered on the floor. ‘Why are you asking me this?’

‘Oh, I just wondered, that’s all.’

I frown. ‘He’s actually been helping me a lot with the show. And he’s going to make a film – a documentary – about it—’

‘A film? Wow!’

‘That’s what he does,’ I say impatiently. ‘It’s his job. So yes, he has been around here a fair bit, and he’ll continue to be, I’d imagine.’

A small pause. ‘He’s from New Zealand, isn’t he?’

‘Yeah.’ I nod. ‘That’s where he lives anyway.’

‘And when’s he going back?’ he asks, affecting an almost comically casual air.

I give him a look before marching back through to the kitchen. ‘I’m not sure exactly. Sometime in December, I think. Why are you so interested?’

‘I’m not,’ he protests, still hot on my heels, just like Bobby was, but without the endearing quality. If I went to the loo, would he try to follow me there too? ‘I’m sorry,’ he mutters, as if it’s dawned on him how bizarrely he’s behaving. ‘Of course, it’s none of my business if you’re, um, getting close to someone …’

‘If I’m getting close to someone?’ I almost laugh. ‘I’m not sure what you’re implying, but if you’re wondering whether there’s anything going on …’ I lower my voice to a murmur. ‘I can assure you there’s not.’

‘Okay, okay.’ He steps back, looking shamefaced now. ‘I’m sorry. I really am. God, Viv, I can’t seem to be able to say anything right at the moment. The last thing I want to do is fall out or upset you.’

I exhale. ‘I’d just like to get on with things now, if you don’t mind.’ Preparations for the show is what I mean – and my life. I want you to leave me alone to get on with my life.