The conversation with Alain aroused Hannah's curiosity - and, it must be said, also her guilt at not having paid closer attention to Rona's life recently. There weren't many people who could cause such feelings in Hannah: Rona was one of them. Sacha also, increasingly.

So she promised Alain that she'd find out what she could, and after making herself a cup of strong coffee and getting herself some hearty lunch (to allow Rona time to have her confrontation with the record-store guy - and because she was very hungry and also suffering the lingering effects of a big drinking session a couple of nights ago in which she'd tried - again, and unsuccessfully again - to lose Janine in a crowded bar) she called Phuong. If anybody would know what was going on, it would be her.

"Hello?"

"Hey, skinny."

"Oh, Hannah. I'm working."

Hannah checked her watch. "Should I call back later?"

"No no no" said Phuong hastily. "I'm just saying, if a customer comes in I'll have to serve them, that's all" she explained.

"Oh, right. No worries, hon. What's up?"

"Not so much. I'm working." The shop was empty: most people were at work; there would be a rush in a few hours but for now it was quiet. Not that there was a shortage of things to do: Phuong cradled her 'phone between her shoulder and her ear while she set about packing the shelves of the shop.

At the other end of the line, Hannah heard a loud plastic clatter right in her ear and the muffled sound of Phuong exclaiming something sharp in Vietnamese. "What was that?" asked Hannah after a moment.

"I dropped the 'phone" explained Phuong. "Can you still hear me?"

"Yeah."

"Good, then I didn't drop it too hard."

"Seriously mate, I can call back later."

"No! Everything is under control. Hang on." Phuong put the 'phone down carefully to pick up a large sack of rice. "Hello?" she said when she picked the 'phone up again. "Are you still there?"

"Yeah, I'm still here" replied Hannah.

"That's good!" said Phuong happily.

"Yeah. Listen, Phuong honey, I was just ringing up to see if you'd heard from Rona? You know, 'cause she was going in today to see that dick who stood her up last week."

"Oh, that! Yes, she was going in today!"

"So you've heard something?"

"No" said Phuong. "I haven't heard anything. I haven't had a chance to call her. 'Cause I'm working you see."

"Right, yeah" Hannah tried to think of what else to say, but before she could say anything Phuong interrupted:

"Oh, Hannah! I have a customer, I have to go" - and with that, abruptly, Phuong hung up.