‘I know it’s not your fault,’ I assured him. ‘I’m just dying to see you, and I was excited about finally being able to introduce you to Karen.’ Scott had been home with me twice before so he’d met Mum and Logan, but Karen had been away for the weekend both times. Every time she’d been down to London to visit me, it seemed to coincide with a weekend that Scott was working and I hated it that my best friend and my boyfriend had never met – not even in the virtual world because Scott refused to engage with social media, saying life was too short to spend it looking at pictures of what people had eaten for lunch.

‘I’ll still get to meet her,’ he said. ‘I’ll probably be there at about nine.’

I could hear voices in the background and the clinking of mugs. ‘Sorry, Jemma. Coffee break’s over. Have an amazing meal and I’ll be there as soon as I can. I love you only.’

‘I love you always.’

At Whitsborough Bay Station, I spotted Karen immediately. Even if it hadn’t been for the large metallic helium balloons in the shape of the number twenty-eight, it was impossible to miss the short flared summer dress adorned with large yellow and turquoise flowers. Living in lycra leggings, T-shirts and trainers for her job as co-owner of Bay Fitness – a bootcamp and personal training business she ran with her fiancé, Ryan, and a friend of theirs, Steff – she tended to favour bold patterns and bright colours when she wasn’t working.

‘Happy birthday!’ she squealed.

I braced myself for one of her power-hugs that could knock you off your feet if you weren’t ready for them. Sure enough, she hurled herself at me. ‘I’ve missed you.’

‘I’ve missed you too.’

‘The car’s outside and I’m free all afternoon to do whatever you want. What’s the plan, Jemma Browne with an ‘e’ on the end?’

I laughed at our little saying. We’d become friends when we met at senior school and united over both having colours for surnames spelt with an ‘e’ on the end; something which our fellow students and even our teachers seemed to struggle to get their heads round.

‘Back to Mum’s so I can get changed, Karen Greene with an ‘e’ on the end. Maybe a drink in The White Horse? Mum and Logan should be home at about four.’