‘Hi! Sorry! We were outside, reading.’ She holds the door open. ‘Are you busy?’ Now I’m here, I’m not sure why I’ve come, only that I wanted to be somewhere I could think. ‘No – come on in! We’re about to have tea in the garden – you’re more than welcome to join us.’ I follow her in. ‘You know, I am so in love with this house. Your fireplace,’ I lean against it, caressing the worn bricks. ‘And your pictures are so cool, Lulubelle. I want pictures like that…’ It’s like I suddenly realise what I’m missing. It’s a home. I gaze around wistfully as we go through the double doors thrown open into the garden. ‘See? Even your flowers are happy.’ It’s true. Her lawn is edged with a mixture of bright, clashing flowers. Lulubelle looks at me, frowning. ‘Are you okay, Frankie?’ I nod, a little vacantly, watching Cosmo kicking a football around.
