Lucas flops in a chair beside me. “More fool him.”

“Where do you want me?” I ask, eager to change topic.

“Well, I thought you might like to be in the kitchen with your friend. Nice bloke, by the way.”

I frown. “Sorry?”

“Scott. He said you told him about us.”

Scott is here… I can’t decide if this is a good or bad thing.

“I… I didn’t realize he was coming.” I gulp loudly. “Put me where I can be the most useful.”

Lucas raises his eyebrows and gives me a funny look. “I’d feel better if you were close to Scott. That way he can keep an eye on you, make sure you don’t overdo it.”

“It’s not necessary”

Lucas shakes his head, grinning. “I’ve seen the way you work, remember, Trish.” He pulls me to my feet. “Come on, you can be in charge of dessert.”

I follow Lucas into the kitchen and spy Scott near the back at a long stainless-steel workbench. He has his head down and is peeling potatoes.

Familiar faces come over to say hello and offer congratulations. Most of them are people I’d probably never associate with if it weren’t for this one occasion each year when random people gather to help out. I love it – this melting pot of generous human beings.

Scott has seen me now and is giving me a nervous smile.

“Fancy seeing you here,” I say, wandering over.

“Please don’t think I’m stalking you, Trish. I only just decided to come and help at the last minute. Ever since you mentioned the lunch it’s been on my mind and, well, I hope you’re OK with me being here. If you’d rather, I can”

I hold up my hand, laughing. “Stop, Scott. It’s fine.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Lucas has been standing beside me throughout our exchange and he’s looking back and forth between us, trying to figure out what’s going on.

“Alrighty, then. Now you’ve got that sorted, Trish, I’d like you to organize Scott and the rest of these guys.” Lucas points to various people nearby who look up and smile as they hear their names. “They’re all relative newcomers, but you’re an old pro. So I need thirty pavlovas with lashings of cream and strawberries.”

I nod. “Sure thing, boss.”

Lucas throws one arm around my shoulders and gives an enthusiastic squeeze. “OK, team,” he says loudly, “I’m leaving you in the extremely capable hands of Trish. Once you have your dishes under control, most of you will need to help out front serving our special guests.”

He races away and I turn to the group, who are looking at me expectantly. Eyeing the large cardboard trays laden with strawberries, I switch into work mode, clap my hands once and stand up straight,