‘Well, there’s still absolutely nothing on the market to buy, the service charge on my flat has gone up again and soon I’ll be facing another rent increase too. So basically, I’m left flushing money down the drain, and when I thought about it this afternoon, I realised that I’ve been in that situation for well over a year now. I’m definitely going to have to think about a flat-share,’ I said resignedly. ‘But the idea of living with a stranger, even short-term, isn’t great.’

At that, she looked relieved and her tone softened a little. ‘So you’re fed up because of a consequence of the break-up? Not because of something Jason’s done?’

I looked at her and toyed with the idea of simply nodding and changing the subject. But deciding that, fireworks or no fireworks, I would feel better for getting the matter off my chest, I opted for the truth. ‘Actually, he’s started texting again and he sent a couple this afternoon. That’s what got me thinking about everything.’

‘What?’ she exploded, throwing up her hands and leaving me silently thankful that she’d had the foresight to put down her drink. ‘What’s he texting you about?’

I held up a hand. ‘Calm down. I’m quite capable of being appalled all by myself.’

‘But why is he texting you?’ she pressed, her cheeks flushing. ‘Does he say he’s missing you? Because I sincerely hope you’re not swallowing any of his crap, Edie. Does he want to get back together?’

I shook my head. ‘The texts are just about what he’s up to; the kind of day he’s having, plus a little bit of soul-searching.’

‘Honestly, the nerve of the guy,’ she said quietly, her complexion beginning to cool. ‘How can he think it’s OK to contact you?’

I retrieved my drink from the table. ‘I don’t know. He’s probably bored of whoever he’s with right now.’

‘He’s seeing someone?’

‘He mentioned a movie he’d watched on Netflix last night. I don’t think he was alone because it wasn’t remotely his kind of thing.’

‘You didn’t ask him?’

‘I haven’t replied to any of the texts.’

‘You’re not curious who he’s with?’

‘Maybe a little,’ I admitted. ‘But mostly I just feel genuinely sorry for whoever it is.’

‘Sorry for her?’ Ruby’s scepticism was obvious. ‘No resentment? No wanting to punch her repeatedly in the kisser?’

‘Definitely not,’ I said resolutely. ‘Why would I? I don’t want him, and either they’re in a relationship, in which case I sincerely doubt he’s being faithful to her, or she was a one-off, unknowing bit on the side. Either way, I feel sorry for her.’

‘Unknowing bit on the side?’

‘Well, who would knowingly put up with that?’

‘You always think the best of people,’ she sighed.