‘“Just silly cards.” Bea, you’re building a business. No matter what the product is, that is impressive – don’t sell yourself short. I couldn’t do it. Some day you might actually have to admit that you’re braver than you give yourself credit for. And also, to make sure it’s on the record, I would like to offer my services.’ He bows dramatically, or at least as dramatically as he can in the tight space. ‘Two heads are always better than one, and I love this stuff. Besides, “silly cards” are so much more exciting than the kind of companies I normally have to look at.’ And he’s not lying. He does love this stuff, so much that he’s made a career out of telling people how to run their businesses. ‘We’ve actually started a community outreach side project, helping small companies get going, sharing knowledge across a whole bunch of areas. I can take a look to see if there’s anything that I think might be helpful for you?’

This sounds like a lot of very important information that I really should want, but would probably have no idea what to do with.

‘Thanks. I’ll think about it.’ And I do mean it. Even if I have no intention of actually taking him up on it.

Peter pays the bill with a credit card that he pulls out of a Velcro wallet. He doesn’t even blink at the amount, simply picks up the tray of drinks and heads back to the group.

The Elderflower Fizz is delicious. I offer it to him and he surreptitiously takes a sip before we reach the circle. He gives me an almost imperceptible wink in return, but from then on I resume the role of the quiet friend.

Once the fizz has fizzled out, I decide to take the plunge and head over to Mia. I should have said hello when I first got here, but she was busy and I was unsure. I don’t want to make things worse between us, and I do genuinely want to wish her a happy birthday, so I take a deep breath in and walk towards her.

‘Mia! Happy birthday!’ I give her a hug, but it’s unusually stiff, not at all like the ones we usually share. ‘I’m sorry it’s taken me a while to get over here. It’s so busy!’

‘I know, right! I saw you talking to Peter and Alice. She is so beautiful!’

She is beautiful. I wonder if anyone has ever used that adjective as a principal description of me. I would guess not.

‘Yeah, they wanted details on the hen do, but don’t worry, our stories are safe.’ I’m trying to be jokey and kind, but it feels forced. I feel so stupid talking about a hen do when we have much more important things to talk about. Like whether or not we’re ever going to be best friends again.

I think Mia might be about to say something more, but as she starts to say my name, her attention is grabbed by one of her more forceful, more trendy friends, who claims to be an environmental activist but refuses to take public transport, always opting for a taxi instead. It’s too loud to hear their conversation from where I’m standing, so I remain on the sidelines. When it’s clear I’m not going to be subbed in, I decide to leave at the next opportunity. Mia is having a good time, and even if I knew what to say, now is not the right moment. So I make a swift French exit and leave her birthday card on a nearby table.