The pattern of the previous day was followed. Matt, who drove, parked her car where she had parked it the day before. Nerissa was waiting in the house for them, and Matt drove them to the hospital in his car. If Nerissa noticed the below-zero coldness between Zoe and Matt, she tactfully refrained from making any comment. Tony was obviously still in considerable pain, despite the influence of painkillers, and Zoe, who was not a very demonstrative type of person in public, surprised even herself by holding his hand in an extra loving way and kissing him with the kind of warmth better saved for private moments. She couldn’t make up her mind who disapproved most, Matt or Nerissa. On the way back they talked between themselves, leaving her feeling curiously isolated. When they arrived at the house Nerissa said, ‘Are you coming in, Zoe?’ Zoe was on the point of saying no. Perhaps that was obvious from her expression, because then Nerissa said, ‘I think you should. Practicalities will have to be discussed.
