Mabel frowned. ‘What makes you think it’s safe in your bedding?’

Roz’s grin widened. ‘You think they’d make my bed for me?’

Mabel emitted a shriek of laughter. ‘When you put it that way, your necklace is safe as houses! Only why not wear it?’

Roz shook her head. ‘There’s no privacy in that place. I have to strip down to my undies in the same room as everyone else, although Callum hangs up a curtain between us and him, which is a bit of a relief, and I do my best not to see old Lilith Haggarty in her bloomers …’ She shuddered. ‘I should imagine it’s not a pretty sight!’

Mabel pulled a revolted face. ‘Me too! I think it’s a crying shame you can’t wear it, though.’

‘You know what you were saying before, about how Callum shouldn’t have got rid of my clothes because they were personal reminders of my parents?’

‘What of it?’ asked Mabel.

‘I’ve been wondering why Callum reacted so badly when he found me wearing a dress which had belonged to Suzie’s mother. At the time I thought it was a bit strange, but maybe he was angry for a different reason?’

Mabel’s eyes widened. ‘When you say he reacted badly, just what do you mean exactly?’

Roz quickly relayed the story, as her friend listened patiently.

‘You really are brave, Roz. I don’t think I’d have dared stand up to him the way you did, and I very much doubt you upset Callum emotionally. I think he reacted the way he did because you scared him, like raking up the past type of thing, maybe even made him feel guilty.’

‘Do I look like her?’ said Roz, praying the answer would be no.

Mabel spluttered on a cough. ‘Good God, no! Nothing like her, so you needn’t worry about that!’

‘Good,’ said Roz. She stopped walking as they arrived outside the door of Felix’s new home.

Her stomach fluttered wildly as she glanced at Mabel who knocked without hesitation. She smiled and said, ‘Good luck …’ before slipping her arm out of Roz’s and standing to one side.

Roz tried to usher Mabel back but there was no time; the door opened and Felix stood in the doorway. His eyes locked with hers, and a slow smile spread across his face.

‘Hello,’ he said, as Roz smiled back.

‘Bet you never thought you’d see me again,’ said Roz, before glancing in Mabel’s direction and beckoning for her to join them. ‘This is my pal, Mabel, she lives just round the corner from me.’

Felix raised his brow. ‘Where do you live?’