When Lachie and I eventually got together, it was after Alex had stepped right back. It’s not that I hadn’t been attracted to Lachie before, because I definitely had; I just hadn’t visualised a future for us.

Four and a half years later, here we are.

After a few songs, Lachie does ‘Cocoon’ by Catfish and the Bottlemen, one of our favourite bands.

When he gets to the part in the lyric about his girl staying to outdrink him, he smirks to himself and looks down at his strumming hands on the guitar. But the next time he sings these words he grins out at the audience. Something makes me search for Fliss in the crowd and, from the look on her face, I know straightaway that they’re sharing in some private joke.

My stomach turns over, and then a pair of hands land on my waist. I jump and twist around to see Lucy.

‘Hi!’ she shouts over the music.

‘Hey!’ I try to sound as enthusiastic as I would if I hadn’t just witnessed what I’d witnessed.

She tilts her face up to Nathan, who obligingly presses a kiss to her lips. ‘Hell?’ he asks.

‘Shocking.’ She casts her eyes heavenwards, shrugs and nods.

Distracted, my eyes return to the stage. Lachie isn’t looking at Fliss any more, but another glance at her reveals that she’s still grinning at him, rapt.

‘Sorry I’m so late!’ Lucy says in my ear, chinking my beer bottle with what looks like vodka and cranberry.

‘No worries at all,’ I reply, trying to ignore the sick feeling roiling in my gut.

Am I losing Lachie?

Is he already lost?

‘Are you okay?’ Lucy asks with sudden concern.

Her empathy has a powerful effect on my emotions.

‘Bronte, what’s wrong?’ she asks with alarm as my eyes well up with tears. ‘Is it Lachie?’ she persists.

I’m mortified, but I nod as I swallow. I like Lucy too much to lie to her.

‘Who is that?’ she asks, following the line of my sight towards Fliss.

‘Fliss,’ I reply. ‘She’s the girl he’s been doing all his weddings with.’

‘You think there’s something going on?’ She’s startled.

I shake my head. ‘I don’t know. I just have a bad feeling.’

‘She looks young.’ Lucy casts Fliss another surreptitious glance.

‘She’s Lachie’s age,’ I reply.

My friend meets my eyes with understanding.

‘Sorry, this is not the time or the place.’ I’m shocked and embarrassed at how much I’ve said. I really don’t believe Lachie is cheating on me, but it hurts to think that his feelings may drift further than friendship.

‘What are you up to tomorrow?’ Lucy asks. ‘Is Lachie working?’

I nod miserably. ‘With her.’

‘Come over for a cuppa,’ she urges. ‘I’ll make sure Nathan’s out of the house and will put Finn down for his nap so we can chat properly.’

‘Okay,’ I reply. ‘Thanks.’

I know I’ll be very glad of the distraction.