“How’s Daniel these days? Still hobnobbing with Hollywood celebrities?”

Lily turned toward Annabel and glanced briefly at her phone. “He’s fine, thanks. Great. Busy, as always.”

“We should organize a supper soon. I haven’t seen Daniel for ages and he’s such a great guy. I’ll WhatsApp you some dates. Maybe I’ll invite Anoushka and Pippa too—what do you think?”

Before she had a chance to reply, Lily’s phone buzzed and her hand shot out toward it, knocking over Annabel’s prosecco glass, its contents trickling across the wooden table in thin, determined rivulets. “God, I’m sorry. That was so clumsy of me. Here let me mop it up.” A moment later, Lily handed the sopping napkins to a passing waiter and retrieved her phone, only to discover that it wasn’t the message she’d been hoping for.

“Everything OK, Lily?”

“Yes, just my boss. Nothing urgent.”

“They’re sending you work emails on a Saturday? God, they really do squeeze every last drop out of you, don’t they? But I’ve been meaning to ask, how’s your mum getting on? Is she still living at home?”

Lily studied Annabel’s face, wondering if somehow she’d found out the truth. “She is, yes. I wanted her to come and live with us but I can understand why she’s keen to stay in her own home. I speak to her every day, she comes for lunch every Sunday, and I’ve got caregivers lined up to help look after her whenever she needs them.”

Lily forced herself to stop gabbling, the lies pricking her tongue. But she’d learned over the years that the best lies were coated with a dusting of the truth. It was true that she spoke to her mum every day, true that Audrey came for lunch each Sunday. It was even true that she’d compiled a list of private nurses who could be dispatched to Jess’s house when the time came, if Jess would let them through the door. But as for the rest of it, how could Lily possibly explain that her mum was living with her sister when she’d never told any of these women that her sister even existed?

Her jaw clenched at the thought of her mum, right now, unpacking at Jess’s house. Lily still didn’t understand her decision. Because what rational explanation could there be for her choosing to live with Jess, when Jess had single-handedly ruptured their family for the past twenty-eight years?

“Well, she’s very lucky to have you. And at least you’ve got Daniel to share the burden with. I can’t imagine having to deal with a sick parent on your own.”

Lily nodded even as her head began to spin. Her fingers grabbed the hard edge of the table, her throat tightening as if invisible hands were pressed around her neck. She slid back her chair, pushed herself to her feet, picked up her coat. “I’m really sorry, I feel rather unwell all of a sudden. I think I just need some fresh air. I’m so sorry. Let me know how much I owe for drinks, won’t you?”