‘I’m okay,’ I said, no energy to try and pretend to be anything more.

Melissa sighed. ‘You poor thing. Although Mark’—her husband—‘said you and Adrian are going to try the whole nest-parenting thing. Very modern of you. Between you and me, the idea of living one week as a single woman is very appealing. You won’t have time to get sick of your kids and will have a whole week to indulge yourself.’

I smiled politely. ‘I’m really sorry, Melissa, but I’m in a bit of a rush.’

And then I fled down the aisle and marched around the rest of the supermarket with my trolley, tossing in packets of Tim Tams, bags of chips, tubs of ice-cream and other things we absolutely, definitely, did not need.

So much for my fears of Adrian not providing the kids with nutritious diets; tonight we were going to have a junk food feast!

6

Hayley let herself into my house just after ten o’clock and found me putting away the groceries in the kitchen. She took one look at the bags of unhealthy snacks, dumped her phone, keys and a bottle of wine on the kitchen counter, and yanked me into her arms.

‘Oh, Ash. I’m going to kill my fucking brother.’

My head fell against her shoulder and tears sprung from my eyes as I clung to my sister-in-law. She wasn’t normally much of a hugger but I really appreciated her embrace now.

‘I’m sorry,’ I said, pulling back slightly. ‘I’m messing up your shirt.’

‘What? This old thing?’ She chuckled, referring to her pristine pilot’s uniform. ‘Don’t worry about it. I’ve got plenty where this came from and I’m not flying again till Wednesday, which means we can crack this open.’

I followed her gaze as she let me go and held up the bottle of expensive champagne. ‘Aren’t bubbles supposed to be for celebrating?’

Hayley shrugged. ‘Celebrating? Commiserating? There’s no occasion where bubbles aren’t appropriate.’

‘God, I love you,’ I said, sniffing again and wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. It was true—I’d loved and admired her since my very first day of school. Even back then she was a ball-breaking go-getter who knew what she wanted in life and took no nonsense from anyone. But despite her drive, ambition, and ability to make the many men she dated weep when she inevitably dumped them, she had a heart of gold and would do anything for her friends and family.

‘Of course you do.’ She grinned as she reached up into the cupboard for some glasses. ‘Everyone does.’

‘But,’ I added, finally smiling myself, ‘I can’t have a drink. It’s not even midday and I have to pick Payton up later anyway.’

Hayley waved her hand dismissively in the air. ‘It’s always five o’clock somewhere in the world, and I can grab an Uber and go pick up my darling niece if need be.’

I sighed—a glass of wine sounded like exactly what the doctor ordered. Knowing I’d cave, Hayley filled two champagne flutes right to the top.