It was, but Marcy needed to prove to herself that she really did have the courage for it.

The instant their friends realized the guest of honor had arrived they got to their feet to welcome her, and as she forced one of her tortured smiles into its hideous shape she felt tears burning her eyes. She hated that they were seeing her like this, felt ashamed and mortifyingly self-conscious, but at the same time she was grateful to them for caring enough to be here, and for everything they’d done to support Claudia and Jasmine. She wanted to tell them that, but the words wouldn’t come.

“My dear,” Wilkie murmured, coming forward with hands outstretched and nothing but affection and tenderness filling her eyes, “welcome home.”

The others followed, embracing her with equal warmth, telling her how lovely it was to see her and showing nothing of the shock they must surely be feeling.

“Great hair,” Leanne told her with a playful smile.

“Come and sit down,” Tom insisted, holding out a chair.

“We’re told you’re allowed one glass,” Andee said, as Graeme uncorked a bottle of Moët.

Marcy nodded. Yes, Rohan had said that, but no more, it didn’t go well with the gabapentin she was taking to relieve the itching.

When her eyes finally found Henry’s he was still standing beside the table, his gaze fixed on her as though she were an apparition (or a freak), and she noticed the tears on his cheeks.

Please don’t tell me you’re sorry, she wanted to say. I understand it’s even worse than you thought. You probably wouldn’t recognize me if you saw me in the street.

He came to her, cupped her tragic face gently in his hands, and looked so deeply into her eyes, both of them, that it was as if no one else was present. “I’ve missed you,” he told her softly, “and one day soon I’ll forgive you for not letting me come to see you.”

Her awful smile trembled as he touched his lips to hers, and she didn’t resist when he led her to the chair next to his.

Glasses were passed around and in order to hold hers she had to slip her right hand from Henry’s, because her left wasn’t able to hold a drink.