Evie could cut the tension in the room with a machete. She glanced around at the four Hearsts, so different from her family. Just like Hugo, William and their father Edward wore white shirts tucked into beige trousers. William was equally as handsome as Hugo, but in a more—dare she say—conventional way. His jaw more chiselled, his green eyes bigger, his shoulders just a touch broader. Elizabeth, Hugo’s mother, was equally striking: she wore her blonde hair in a tight bun, and fine lines feathered her eyes in a very dignified way. It was no surprise to Evie when Hugo revealed that she had once been a model.

For a few minutes all you could hear was the clinking of cutlery and the chewing of fish. Unused to silence—in Evie’s family home the only reason for this kind of quietness was when one of the royals was speaking on the telly—Evie smiled at Hugo’s brother and asked, ‘So, William, how’s work at the law firm?’

William laughed. Not a joke.

‘Any interesting stories? I’m sure being a partner must be so exciting.’ Evie stroked his ego like her life depended on it. There, try and laugh your way out of that one!

William swallowed slowly before replying. ‘It’s good. Very busy. I’m working long hours at the moment,’ he said. ‘That’s part of the reason Hugo left law. Couldn’t handle the neverending days. Too much hard work. Am I right?’ he laughed, winking at Hugo.

Evie put her hand over Hugo’s clenched fist. ‘That surprises me, because Hugo’s work ethic is something I’ve always admired about him. I’m sure you know that writing a New York Times bestseller comes with very long hours too,’ Evie replied with her own sarcastic laugh.

Hugo squeezed her hand as if to say, leave it, but Evie couldn’t bear to let his family mock him. And if Hugo wasn’t going to retaliate, then she would.

‘And how’s your writing going then? Hahahahaha,’ William replied.

‘It’s starting to take shape. A bit of a juggle with uni and the podcast I’m doing with a friend,’ Evie replied proudly.

‘Don’t waste too much time on it—I doubt this whole podcast craze will go anywhere,’ William said with authority.

Evie glanced at Hugo for support, but he was preoccupied with staring at his plate. He took another bite of his lunch, avoiding eye contact.

‘Now, William, you gotta be in it to win it, as they say,’ Edward said, with a meaningful look at his son.

Evie’s head was about to explode. She wanted to walk right over to William and ruffle his precisely pressed shirt. But before she could, Hugo’s phone rang.

‘Hugo! No phones at the table, please,’ Elizabeth admonished, as if Hugo were a rebellious teenager incapable of making good choices.