“No, I gave it to...to someone else. But they enjoyed it, I assure you.”

Which left Olivia feeling even more awkward, because there was no way she could ask him to whom he’d given his cupcake, and he seemed almost reluctant to impart the information.

“Well, I hope you enjoy this one,” she said, every word stilted. “Salted caramel. That is, if you’re the one eating it.”

Simon just smiled, which made her feel worse. What was he not saying, and why? Or was she reading way too much into what was essentially a business exchange? She handed him the box. “Here you are.”

“Thank you so much. And here you are.” He handed her a five-pound note, his fingers brushing hers. “And no change. I absolutely insist.”

Which just felt like pity now. “Thank you,” Olivia said. “And...see you tomorrow?”

“I’ll be here.” He smiled, gave a mock salute, and then, far too soon, he was gone, the door banging shut behind him, letting in a gust of icy air that made Olivia shiver as she stared disconsolately out at the darkness.

Chapter Three

“Come in, come in!”

Harriet urged Olivia inside, brandishing a very full glass of white wine as her adorable dog Daisy frolicked about their heels, nearly making them both trip.

“Thanks.” Olivia smiled as she stepped across the threshold of Harriet’s converted-stable cottage at Willoughby Close. Ava, Ellie, and Alice were already inside, sprawled across the matching sofas. “Where’s Richard?”

“Upstairs, corralling the children. I’ve told them they will come down on pain of death, or at least a serious scolding, even Richard.” She plucked the bottle of average plonk Olivia had been holding. “You shouldn’t have, but I’m glad you did. I ruined the mulled wine with far too much orange juice, and we’re already mostly through the bottle of white Ava brought.”

“Oh, really?” Everyone’s glasses looked very full, Olivia noticed, and wondered what they were celebrating—or bemoaning.

“Let me get you a glass,” Alice offered as she rose from the sofa. “There’s still some white left...”

“Or this red.” Harriet placed Olivia’s bottle on the kitchen counter with a thunk. “What do you fancy?”

“Either is fine,” Olivia answered with a smile as she unbuttoned her parka. It was good to be with her friends, especially on a wet and windy winter’s night, where the only company she would have had was Dr Jekyll, who was definitely in full Mr Hyde mode at the moment.

“I’ll let you finish off the white, then,” Alice said cheerfully, and poured Olivia a glass to the brim before handing it over with a smile.

“So how is everyone?” Olivia asked as she plopped herself down in the middle of one of the sofas, between Ava and Ellie. Harriet flung herself onto the other one with a sigh, and Alice curled up in the opposite corner.