So far, the day has gone pretty much perfectly, apart from my making a slight hash of carving and having to be rescued midway through by Daff’s dad. I think her family are just as surprised by my sudden buoyancy as she is; the last few times I’ve seen them, I’ve been typically downbeat. And the weird thing is, I’m not even having to try. I just feel good: totally positive about life for the first time in forever.

Every so often, Alice’s message pops into my head, but I make a concerted effort to chuck it straight back out again. I’ve told myself to just ignore it. I’ve cancelled the date, that’s the important thing. Now it’s time to forget about Alice and focus on Daphne.

We all settle down in the living room to watch the carpet become a multicoloured sea of wrapping paper as Charlie and Fred tear their way through their presents.

Kat and Joe are slumped on the sofa next to me, while Daff sits with her mum and dad on the other one. Charlie and Fred have just uncovered our gifts to them – a pair of matching Nerf Zombie Strike FlipFury Blasters – and are scrambling to load them with foam bullets.

‘These are BRILLIANT!’ shouts Fred.

‘I bet you can’t hit me,’ I say, and their eyes light up as they start chasing me round the room, firing wildly.

I’m hit again and again and I dramatically flop to the ground to a backdrop of excited shrieks. The boys pile on top of me, and Daff’s mum, Clio, laughs.

‘You’re so good with them, Ben. Isn’t he good, Daphne?’

‘Yes, Mum.’ Daff sighs obediently, and we both exchange a grin. Clio, being Greek, is hilariously blunt. Within minutes of stepping through the door, she’s usually asking when Daphne and I are going to give her some more grandchildren. To be honest, I’m surprised she hasn’t broached the subject yet today.

Kat giggles as the twins continue to maul me on the carpet. ‘Seriously, though, Ben, if you want to take them for a couple of days, please be our guest. We could do with a break.’

‘Amen to that,’ says Joe.

Clio clicks her tongue. ‘Take yours? They should have some of their own!’

Everyone cracks up, and Daff’s dad chuckles and shakes his head. ‘Clio, honestly.’

This has been their dynamic as long as I’ve known them: Clio says crazy, forthright things and Michael (being English) feigns embarrassment on her behalf. It sounds weird, but it works. For some reason, they complement each other perfectly, and they’re clearly still head over heels in love. I suddenly wish Mum was here too, to complete this family Christmas. She always got on brilliantly with Daphne’s parents.