Okay then. I have no idea what she’s talking about, but I nod. Even if I couldn’t feel less like I belong, I appreciate the sentiment, and I know Sophia and Athena have my back. ‘Got it.’

‘Marlowe,’ Camille says, coming forward with a warm smile. ‘You survived! How are you feeling?’

I lean in as she greets me with a kiss on each cheek. ‘I’m good. I’m—yeah. It’s all good. He’s really sweet, he’s taken good care of me. The office is lovely. So yeah.’ I nod. ‘All good, really.’ So articulate, Marlowe.

She smiles kindly. ‘Oh dear. You’re a bit dazed still. It’s absolutely to be expected. The first few weeks are a lot. Aren’t they, Bree?’

This is directed at a tall, slender Black woman who’s drifted up next to us. She looks like a supermodel. She’s in a coral pink halter-neck dress that showcases skin so glossy it doesn’t seem real. It’s actually shimmering. She’s so beautiful it’s ridiculous.

‘Hi, sweetie,’ she says, holding out her hand. ‘I’m Bree. We need to get you a drink. And yes, the first week or two can range from the surreal to the downright bonkers. These guys get so overexcited when they get their new toys. It’s ridiculous, if you ask me. So if you’re still standing and you can still walk, you should take that as a win.’

I laugh at that, because she’s nailed the situation perfectly. ‘I couldn’t really sit down on day two,’ I confess, which is probably all the dirt I’m going to dish on Brendan. Bree throws back her head and laughs, and I admire the huge diamonds flashing in her ears, the delicate column of her neck.

‘I have a feeling I’m going to regret knowing so many sordid details about my future brother-in-law,’ Athena says with a groan, shoving a goldfish-bowl-sized glass of rosé into my hands. ‘Relax, darling, I put some Pellegrino in it.’

‘Thanks,’ I tell her. Bree gives her a hug that’s clearly genuine and supremely elegant at the same time.

‘Did you get engaged?’ Bree asks, and Athena gives her trademark dismissive face.

‘Nah. But we both know it’s going to happen.’

‘Ahhh,’ everyone choruses.

‘Come over to the window,’ Sophia urges me. ‘This view is spectacular.’

‘When did you get in?’ I ask her as we approach the edge of the seating area. From what she’s told me, she’s based in Athens with her boss, but he also spends a lot of time treating the Med as his personal playground. She definitely didn’t get that tan in London, that’s for sure.