‘The difference is that you’re still in love with Charlotte.’

‘You’re mistaking friendship for love.’ He hesitated before moving on to an outright lie. ‘Anyway, I’ve moved on. I’m seeing someone else.’

The corner of Steph’s mouth twitched. ‘Are you?’ she said. ‘Charlotte never mentioned it.’

‘It’s only new.’

‘Well, in that case, don’t you think you need to consult your new girlfriend before you agree to do this?’

‘Not really. Like I said, it’s only early days. She has no claim over my junk.’

Steph leaned back and folded her arms. ‘All right,’ she said. ‘Fair enough.’ She paused. ‘Thank you. We do really appreciate this. Both of us.’

Darren softened a little. He could see the relief in her eyes. She wanted this as much as Charlotte did. Now he just hoped she didn’t start asking him a whole heap of questions about the imaginary girl he was supposed to be dating.

*

Jill

Dear Frank,

I’ve made it to Friday. Although Fridays don’t really matter anymore when you’re retired, do they? But still, it’s another week and so it feels like an achievement. Another week of mediocrity. Another week of boredom and loneliness and insomnia. Another week without you.

I’m being dramatic. I’m sorry. Are you sick of me telling you I’m sorry? You probably are. But I don’t know what else to do. I don’t know how else to make up for it all. I suppose in truth I simply can’t. Nothing can make up for any of it. No amount of Hail Marys. No amount of waffling letters. No number of apologies. But I may as well keep writing. Because what else can I do?

I skipped my Hail Marys this morning. I just couldn’t be bothered. I was too angry. But I will do them tonight before I go to sleep. As many as I can. I’ll chant them until I’m too tired. And then I’ll lie awake with burning eyes and beg for sleep.

But do you think it’ll make any difference in the long run? When my time comes to be judged, will all of these Hail Marys count for anything against what I’ve done? No. I don’t think that they will.

I still haven’t opened the bloody email. I did tell you about it, didn’t I? Honestly, I’m sure it’s nothing, but it is very odd for her to contact me out of the blue like this. And there’s something so commanding about it. ‘You need to know’. I don’t see why it’s up to her to tell me what I need to know. Maybe I should delete it.

I saw Mimi and the twins today. Popped in for morning tea. I was trying to be helpful. I wanted her to let me do something for her. Anything. A load of washing. Stack the dishwasher. Change their nappies. But she wouldn’t let me! In the end, I think I was more trouble for her. Instead of resting, she was fussing over me, making me a pot of tea and a slice of raisin toast, telling me to sit down and relax. That wasn’t the point!