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someone who would appreciate it. Like her.
    If it had not been for the alcohol, this last thought probably would have occurred to Kate a lot sooner. But also, if it hadn’t been for the alcohol, she probably wouldn’t have taken it so seriously. Instead, her eyes widened as the idea blinked into being, and then took hold, blossoming outwards until any and all objections were enveloped within its folds. It was like an epiphany, a revelation, which answered everything and glistened with potential. Kate shook her head and smiled with amazement.
    â€˜You look like the cat that’s got the cream.’ Angie was looking at her curiously.
    Oscar glanced over and laughed. ‘Told you it was good wine.’
    â€˜Oh my god.’ Kate was still in wonder at the brilliance of her idea. ‘I’ve had a
brainwave
. A resolution of my own! And it’s perfect! You need a flatmate, and I – I need somewhere! For peace and quiet. To see if I
can
write a book. Give it a chance.’
    â€˜Hang on,’ Angie stared at her. ‘You’re not saying that –’
    â€˜
I
move in with you! You get your boarder and I get space! It’s brilliant! Perfect!’ Kate beamed around the table, her excitement blinding her. ‘And even if I
don’t
get a book written, then at least I know I tried. But I’ve got a great feeling about this. I really do. It’s the answer to everything. And it means I’ll be able to move on as well. It’s absolutely, one hundred percent perfect!’
    There was utter silence for a few moments, and then Hector broke wind.

THREE
    K ate opened her eyes slowly and stared at the fluorescent green numbers on the bedside clock: 8.15 am. She could hear the drumming of the ensuite shower, which was probably what had woken her, and could feel the emptiness beside her that meant Sam was no longer there. She took a few minutes to allow the events of last night to filter through, and flinched when she came to the moment when she had made her euphoric announcement.
    Surprisingly enough she did not feel as ill as she deserved. She was tired, but it was that same intrinsic tiredness she had felt for months now, the one that seemed to colour everything in shades of grey. Apart from that, there was just a sore spot on her chin, a dull ache around her temples, and a slightly nauseous feeling in the pit of her stomach. But it was difficult to say whether the latter was due to overindulgence or the lingering reaction to an evening that had been less than pleasant.
    Kate pulled up the pillow and pressed it against her face. She felt like crying, and she also felt like screaming. Now she clearly remembered the stunned silence, the embarrassment. And, from Oscar, a barely disguised amusement that had done more to sober her up than the stillness emanating from her own husband. The shower stopped with a rumble of the water pipes, and she pulled the pillow off her head quickly before flopping over to face the ensuite doorway. She opened her eyes a trifle so that she could observe through her lashes.
    The door opened and a large quantity of steam issued forth to dissipate against the ceiling. Sam emerged, drying his hair with one towel, another wrapped around his waist. He stopped by the bed and looked down at her for a moment before heading over to the wardrobe. The sound of coathangers jangling followed, so Kate rearranged herself quietly. Sam, now totally naked, was standing at the foot of the bed with his back to her while he chose an outfit. Kate opened her eyes fully and admired his buttocks. They really were rather impressive for a man of his age. Nice, firm, and showing just the slightest effect of nearly a half-century of gravity.
    â€˜I know you’re watching me.’
    Kate didn’t answer, mainly because he had now bent over to fetch his runners and words failed her.
    â€˜That was Pete on the phone before. There’s been a break-in at the Berwick job and