‘Hi,’ she said, finding Charlotte in the living room, helping Seren to pack up the books and toys she’d left there. Em found herself seeking out the big flashy diamond engagement ring on Charlotte’s left hand as if that was any kind of reassurance, but it didn’t make her feel better. Okay, you win, she thought, as the other woman straightened up and smiled at her. He’s all yours now. Not that it was a competition – she was trying so hard for this not to be a competition – but Charlotte was indisputably beautiful and elegant in a crisp navy trouser suit and spindly heels. She had long dark hair and wide brown eyes, plus a full luscious mouth with perfect lipstick. Damn it, Em totally should have changed out of those jean shorts as well as her manky top, she thought with a stab of regret.

‘Hi! Emma! I’m Charlotte,’ the other woman said unnecessarily. ‘I’m so sorry about turning up early like this – George is so rubbish at replying to texts normally that when he didn’t this time, I just assumed he would have received them, but . . .’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Clearly not. Sorry if I’ve caused chaos.’

‘No, not at all,’ Em said brightly. God no, I’m delighted that you turned up a day early before I could clean the house and make myself a tiny bit more attractive. I’m THRILLED you made it in time to see the fallout from my daughter’s social-media lying frenzy, and to be here just as George realized he couldn’t stand me any more. Cool! ‘Um . . . Can I get you anything? A drink, something to eat?’

‘I’m fine, thanks. We’ll be out of your hair as soon as we can,’ Charlotte said.

It felt like a criticism, as if Em was pushing them out of the door. ‘There’s no hurry,’ she felt obliged to say, then realized she’d run out of conversation. ‘Um . . . so how was your conference?’ she asked after an agonizingly blank few moments.

‘Busy,’ Charlotte replied, stuffing some picture books into a bag. Then she looked up at Em and wrinkled her nose. ‘Kind of boring, actually. Loads of stiffs. I was quite glad when they changed the running order and I could leave, between you and me.’