They got the taxi home from the hospital in silence. The driver had Classic FM on loudly, so they probably couldn’t have talked even if they’d wanted to. And Piper hadn’t wanted to.

Outside Connie’s flat, Holly said, ‘Is there food? Or should I go and get something? Will Morrisons still be open?’

‘There’s food,’ Piper said, heading up the path. ‘But I’m not hungry.’

When Piper opened the door, Buster jumped up at her, before turning a few circles, his head thrown back with joy.

‘Shit,’ Piper said. ‘Can you open the balcony door?’

She picked Buster up and rushed across the lounge, as Holly fiddled with the lock on the balcony door, but they didn’t make it. Piper felt warm liquid dribbling down the front of her jeans. She put Buster outside anyway and looked down at herself, pulling her top away from her stomach.

‘He always does that,’ she told Holly. ‘He’s a ridiculous dog.’

Holly held out a packet of tissues and Piper pulled one out, dabbing at her jeans.

‘Not for your jeans,’ her sister said. ‘For your face.’

Piper touched her cheek with the back of her hand and was surprised when it came back wet. She hadn’t even realised she was crying.

‘I’m going to make tea and toast,’ Holly said. ‘Take your clothes off and put them in the wash.’ She stopped and squeezed Piper’s arm quickly. ‘She’s going to be okay.’

Piper nodded and headed for the bedroom.

---

It turned out that in packing so quickly, Piper had brought an almost useless selection of clothes, but thankfully she had managed to include a long-sleeved T-shirt. She peeled off her wet jeans and top, showered quickly in Connie’s feeble shower and took her washing through to the kitchen.

Holly was on the sofa in the living room, Buster next to her and two mugs of tea and a plate of toast with jam on the coffee table in front of her.

‘Thank you,’ Piper said, sitting on the other side of Buster and reaching for a tea. Her hands were still shaking. They’d been shaking all day. She pulled her legs up on the sofa and put a cushion in her lap.

‘Do we need to talk about—’ Holly said.

‘Rob told me he’s falling in love with me,’ Piper interrupted.

‘Fuck me.’ Holly turned to face her sister on the sofa. ‘What did you say?’

Piper shook her head. ‘I freaked. I left. I came back here.’

‘Wow. You don’t feel the same way?’

Piper frowned. ‘It’s too soon! He’s being ridiculous.’

‘You’ve been seeing each other for a while though, haven’t you? I thought you liked him.’

‘I do.’ Piper reached for a slice of toast. ‘I really like him. He’s great. He’s funny and kind and hot as hell. But—’

‘But? How’s the sex?’

Piper shook her head. ‘Unbelievable.’

‘I have to say, you’re rapidly losing my sympathy.’ Holly reached for a slice of toast too and moaned as she bit into it. ‘I can’t believe I denied myself this for so long.’

‘But,’ Piper continued. ‘He lives here. I live in London. He’s not going to move to London and I’m sure as shit not moving back here, so—’

‘Have you asked him?’ Holly said.

‘Asked him what?’

‘If he’d move to London.’

‘Of course not.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because.’

Holly raised one eyebrow.

‘Because why would he?’

‘Because he’s in love with you.’

Piper shook her head.

‘I saw his post on Facebook,’ Holly said.

Piper was actually surprised. As far as she knew, Holly rarely, if ever, went on Facebook. She said it was politically and morally reprehensible. And crammed with photos of the cats and babies of people she didn’t care about.

‘Oh yeah?’ Piper said.

‘A friend sent it to me.’

‘Sent you what?’

‘A screenshot. Of the photo he posted.’

‘Ah,’ Piper said. ‘Yeah. That was a bit shit.’

‘It was horrendous. But I didn’t mean that. The photo he posted. And his comment. I could tell even then that he was into you. And you looked so happy in the photo. And so completely yourself. It took my breath away a bit.’

Piper didn’t even know what to say. She didn’t think Holly had ever said anything like that to her before.

‘I never should have married James,’ she said. ‘I knew it wasn’t right. I knew I didn’t love him. Not like I should have loved him. But everything else was – seemed – perfect, so I ignored it. It was the biggest mistake I ever made. If you think you could be happy with Rob – and I know you do – you shouldn’t risk losing him because you’re scared.’

‘I’m not scared,’ Piper said.

‘It’s braver to risk it than to avoid it, you know. I know you think you’re protecting yourself. But you can protect yourself too well. And end up with nothing.’

‘Christ,’ Piper said. She stared down at Buster, pushing her hand into his fur.

‘No, listen. I went through the same thing you did. I know we’ve never really talked about it. I get that you probably don’t want to talk about it now, but you know I understand, right? And if you ever do want to talk—’

‘I don’t,’ Piper said.

‘Okay. And you don’t want to talk about me and Matt either?’

‘No. But I’m pissed off.’

‘I get that,’ Holly said. ‘I don’t blame you.’