Turns out bleeding radiators is really easy. And I think Colin, the boiler guy with lovely bone structure, might be flirting with me, but I can’t be sure.

We have now bled all the radiators and I’ve lost all confidence.

‘Thanks so much, I really appreciate it. And double thanks for showing me how to bleed my radiators. I feel like I’m finally becoming an adult.’ Once again I do a weird hand gesture, like a half-punch. Did I just fist-bump the air?

He smiles, and I am dazzled again.

I have no idea how to do this. Me, who found a really long chin hair whilst inspecting my face this morning. Resigned, I head towards the door.

‘Let me show you out.’

CHAPTER 14

It’s Thursday and Mia’s birthday drinks have arrived. I go because I know I need to. If I don’t go, I would be further along the path of waving buh-bye to my friendship with her, and I’m not ready to let that ship sail, but my shitty week has made me feel far from sociable.

As soon as I pull open the heavy door I already regret being here. I’ve totally misjudged the vibe and I’m wearing all the wrong things. Plus it’s so dark and so busy that I don’t know how I’ll find my friends.

Thankfully, from the slightly raised step I can make out the top of Peter’s head.

As usual, he’s holding court. Talking to people has always been one of Peter’s skills; the fact he’s a little different makes him approachable to people from every walk of life. A bunch of Mark’s trendy friends surround him, along with a handful of Games Night frequenters, and somehow he doesn’t look out of place in his suit.

As I’m nearing, a girl’s hand appears on Peter’s upper arm. He immediately opens out to let her in, taking her under his wing, the same way he normally does with me. But then, in a change of events, she kisses him – briefly, but it still happens.

It’s the girl from the speed dating bar.

I decide too late to change direction. Oddly’s seen me and waves me over.

‘I was wondering when you would show up.’ He takes me under his other arm. I feel extremely weird.

‘Bea, this is Alice. Alice, this is Bea.’

I give her an awkward wave as both of my arms are being held down by Peter, and she makes the cheers motion at me with her drink. It puts me even closer to the edge.

‘We were discussing the finer points of Mark’s stag do. Controversially, I hear the boys weren’t the ones to order strippers but it was in fact the girls who saw some action. Do you deny these vicious rumours?’

He’s talking to me. ‘Sorry, guys, but what happens on the hen do stays on the hen do.’ I say this with far more energy and amusement in my eyes than I feel.

‘Mia has a canvas with an imprint of the guy’s butt plastered on it!’