I can’t contain my tears as I hug my grieving friend, grateful that I’ve never lost a husband to cancer. After she leaves, I change into pyjamas, fill my bowl with cornflakes for dinner, drink the leftovers from last night’s bottle of wine, watch TV and go to bed. Alone.

Fiona H Evans is a mathematician and writer who lives in Perth, Western Australia. You can read more of her stories at fionahevans.com.