‘I’ve just ended a marriage, Mum!’ I exclaim. ‘I’d say that’s worthy of tying myself in a few knots about.’

‘Nonsense. His wife ended the marriage, not you.’

‘Because of me.’

‘No, because of Luke. Marriages end all the time, darling, for all sorts of reasons. We don’t all get the privilege of marrying the right person first time around. It’s not the end of the world, just look at your father and me. And Luke’s right. If he and… what’s her name?’

‘Cindy.’

‘Ugh. Poor thing. What kind of parent names their child after a doll? Anyway, if Luke and Cindy get divorced, there’s no reason why you and he can’t get together, is there? Cindy obviously isn’t the right person for him, but you might be.’

‘I don’t want anything to do with him.’

‘Oh, you say that now because you’re cross with him. But you liked him well enough before and, once the dust settles…’

‘He tried to gaslight me, Mum! He threw me under the bus at the first sign of trouble.’

‘I admit that wasn’t a very nice thing to do, but you did ambush him, darling. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about men, it’s that they’re unpredictable under pressure.’

‘You can call it unpredictable, but I’d say he showed his true colours. He’s a narcissist, a liar, a serial cheat and a coward. Oddly, if I were to draw up a list of things I want in my future husband, none of those would be on it.’

‘Hm.’

‘What?’

‘It’s just that you’re not getting any younger, Matilda. The pool of eligible men you’re fishing in is getting smaller and smaller with every passing year. You might need to start lowering your standards a little. Yes, he needs some of his rough edges smoothing off, but he’s got a good job and great prospects. Plus, you’ve got a lot in common, both being in the medical field.’

‘I’d rather die a penniless, lonely old spinster than go anywhere near Dr Luke Milne again,’ I tell her firmly.

She sighs. ‘It’s your life. Are you going to stay in contact with his mother, at least?’

‘Why on earth would I want to do that?’

‘She sounds nice, from the way you describe her. She doesn’t play bridge, does she?’

‘I have no idea. Why?’

‘Haven’t I told you? Gloria and I have started playing at a local club. Your father and Andy waste days playing golf, so this is our thing. Anyway, one of the other tables is looking for someone to make up a four, so⁠—’

‘You’re not inviting my ex-boyfriend’s mother to play bridge with you. That’s just too weird.’