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“Then why did she invite you to this wedding?” Smithy pushes.

“Because she doesn’t want to go alone, and besides, she thought I was gay!”

“Gay?” He snorts.

“Long story, but the point is, she only likes me as a friend. She’s shown no romantic notions towards me, and even if she did, which is a very large if, it’ll come down to the problem it always comes down to.”

Smithy sighs. He has no comeback to this.

“I can’t change who I am. The conversation will come up, and the outcome will be the same as all the others,” I continue.

“You don’t know that,” Smithy says.

“Of course I do. You saw her tonight.”

He looks towards the kitchen door. “I just don’t want you to give up, man.”

I look away because I don’t want to tell him it’s way too late for that.

30

Alice

I find Romana in the girls’ room with Darcy and Dana, who are dressed in identical purple pyjamas with silver stars on them. Their hair is wound up in overly large towels, and they’re perched on the edge of a small single bed, of which there are two on opposite walls. There’s a lilac glow emanating from violet lamps, periwinkle cushions, magenta stuffed toys, and plum-coloured blankets strewn about. The whole place looks like the set of a Disney film.

“Alice!” Dana—I think—calls as I make my way into the room. She releases her hair from the towel and then presents me with a strange-looking plastic device that also happens to be purple.

She must read my look of utter confusion, as she says, “It’s a Tangle Teezer comb because our hair gets very knotty.”

Taking the comb, I sit on the edge of the bed. She slides down onto the floor in front of me, and I start to section her hair off.

“You’re way more gentle than my mum and dad,” she says.

“Well, I used to work in a hairdresser’s on Saturdays, and I had to comb everyone’s hair after I’d washed it, so the hairdresser showed me how to comb it without hurting people,” I explain.

“You need to show Mum.”

Romana rolls her eyes and comes to sit next to me, pulling the other twin in for a hug as they both watch what I’m doing.

“Okay, I’m taking notes,” Romana says. Then she leans into me and lowers her voice. “Is everything okay with you and Owen?”

“Yeah, it’s fine,” I tell her, trying not to stick my tongue out as I concentrate on being as gentle as I can with Dana’s hair, marvelling at this strange comb and how effective it is and why I’ve never come across one before. Then I remember that I don’t have kids and therefore don’t need to comb someone’s hair every day.

“I take it you didn’t know about his marriage?” Romana asks.

“No, but he had no reason to share it with me.”

There’s a second of silence before she says, “You’re the first person he’s ever brought round here.”

“Really?” I ask, even though I don’t doubt this is true, knowing how unsociable Owen is at work.

“After his marriage ended, he was never the same. He dated, but nothing serious. And now you’re here and just his friend,” Romana says softly, as if she’s lulling me with her words.

I’ve no idea what to do with this information, but I have to say something.

“Yes. I realise how much he’s let me in, even as a friend, and I’m very grateful for that.” I try to keep my tone light because the atmosphere in this purple haven has become very adult all of a sudden.

“Good. I’m glad you see that, because he doesn’t do it very often.”