‘Last year was hard for everyone. I wouldn’t be anywhere else today.’ I give her shoulder a squeeze before grabbing a cloth from the sink and mopping up the spilled champagne.

‘It’s been a while since we caught up,’ she says as I drape the cloth over the tap, ‘how is it being back at work?’

‘It’s good. It feels good to have a routine again. I’m guessing you heard about Anna Symons?’

‘Heard about it? I’ve bought every gossip magazine I can get my hands on. I’ve even watched the news religiously, which you know I hate! Everyone reckons it’s the fiancé. Do you think he did it?’

‘You know I can’t possibly discuss the case, even with you,’ I say, digging her gently in the ribs with my elbow, fully aware of the baby bump.

‘Have you met him?’ she asks, pushing my arm away.

‘Yes.’

‘Is he as sexy in real life as he is in photos?’

Until now, I hadn’t thought about it. ‘I suppose he is, yes. He came in to the station all suited and booted, looked like a movie star himself.’

‘I bet it is him. Documentaries always say it’s the victim’s partner. Maybe he’s a Ted Bundy type, charming and handsome but fucking dangerous!’

‘I bet no other baby shower in the country has ever started with a Ted Bundy reference. I came early to help you set up, not debate a case I’m not allowed to talk about.’ I scold. ‘Now,’ I say, taking on a kinder tone, ‘what do you need me to do?’

She looks dismayed.

For the next half an hour we work hard to make the house baby shower ready. When we are done, pastel coloured bunting hangs from doorways and an array of food is positioned invitingly on the table in the front room. Once our glasses are topped up, we flop down on the sofa and await the arrival of the other guests.

‘How does Darren feel about you being back at work?’ Sarah asks, taking a sip from her glass.

‘We’ve broken up,’ I reply.

‘Oh no,’ she says, though she doesn’t look too disappointed. ‘Are you OK?’

‘Yeah, I’m fine. It’s been a long time coming.’

‘It has, he has been a dick for a long time now.’

I snort with laughter. She never really saw eye to eye with Darren so I imagine she is pleased with the news. She continues unabated:

‘So. Young, free and single for the first time in years! Men of Manchester, beware!’

She looks sideways at me and noticing my expression, sighs.

‘Please don’t tell me you’ve met someone new already?’

I proceed to fill her in about what happened after Darren and I broke up. When I finish, she shakes her head.

‘Well, you did the right thing. You can’t let a good set of lingerie go to waste. How was the se…’

A loud set of knocks on the door make us both jump.

‘Saved by the bell,’ Sarah says, pushing herself up in stages from the sofa, ‘but we shall return to the juicy details later.’