“It’s pretty good,” she finally mutters.

“Wow, Scott,” Lily grins. “That is high praise coming from Em.”

“Thanks. It’s my mum’s recipe.” Scott suddenly rummages in his bag again. “Trish told me you’ve recently opened a café, Emma. I was given two of these last Christmas and I was going to donate one, but I wondered if you might have any use for it.”

“Oh my God!” Emma takes the weird-looking metal thing and clasps it to her chest. “I’ve been wanting a microplane ever since mine broke last year.”

I’ve no idea what a microplane is, but I know Scott has gained some serious brownie points. Even Mags is nodding in approval, though I bet she doesn’t have a clue what the bloody thing is, either.

“Coffee, Scott?” I ask, pulling a mug from the cupboard.

“Thanks. I’d love one.” He comes to stand beside me. “Any chance you can show me your garden? I’m dying to see it.”

“Sure.”

I feel myself blush and my heart starts racing. He only wants to see my garden. What’s the big deal? It’s not like he just asked if he could see me naked. Oh, God, where did that thought come from?

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Scott says loudly, shifting his weight and looking about the room.

“First, we need to move all the furniture out,” says Emma. “And I’m going to take Trish shopping for a few essentials: a bassinet, for starters.”

“Is that so you don’t have to do the heavy lifting, Em?” teases Lily.

“You’re welcome to take Trish to baby shops if you’d like, Lily?” Emma hassles back.

I don’t have to turn around and look at Lily’s face to know how much the thought of going into shops full of baby stuff is making her panic. She’s great with Emma’s boy, Freddie; he completely adores her. But she’s in no way ready to surround herself with little people paraphernalia. She admitted only recently she often crosses the street when she sees a mother and pram coming towards her. She’s worried they might infect her with a sudden urge to procreate.

“Nah, it’s cool. I’ll stay and make sure Darryl here doesn’t slack off.”

I hand Scott his coffee and he murmurs thanks before taking a sip. If I wanted to – which I don’t – I could lean against him, he’s so close.

“Don’t know about you, but I’m going to have a slice of Scott’s loaf,” Mags says, pulling a knife out of my cutlery drawer. “Anyone else?”

“Love a piece,” says Darryl, “especially as the doughnuts are gone.” He makes a quick lunge for the last two and shoves them in his mouth at once.

“Gross,” says Lily. “Remind me why we live together?”