“Well, yes, quite a few actually, nieces and nephews and what not. We’ve both got big families. And quite a few of our friends have got kids.”

“Then,” Camille said, frowning questioningly, “why weren’t our children invited? I mean, I understood that you might not want children around for the house party, it was really more of a grown-up affair and we’re the only ones with kids. But Guy told me that the children weren’t invited to the wedding either. I almost didn’t come; I’ve never been away from them for that long. So”—she hesitated—“is it just my children who weren’t invited?”

Jenna looked straight at Camille for a long moment, which seemed to stretch on uncomfortably. Her face was playing out different emotions. Finally, she said, “I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, Camille, but you’ve been misinformed.”

“What do you mean?” The color was rising in Camille’s cheeks.

“Your children were invited to the wedding. They were invited to the house party, too. Guy asked us to change your invite so that it was just for you two.”

Camille was stammering. “B-but—why would he do that?”

“It’s really not for me to say.”

“I really wish you would. I really wish someone would tell me what the fuck is going on because apparently my husband won’t.”

“Camille, I think he did it with the best intentions.”

Camille raised an eyebrow. “Which were?”

It was clear she wasn’t going to let it drop. Nory, Ameerah, and Pippa shared awkward looks.

“Look,” Jenna began carefully. “Guy said that you two could do with some time alone. That things had been tough, with the children and”—she hesitated—“stuff, and he thought a break away would do you both good. He knew that you’d never agree to leave them behind if they were invited. So, he asked us not to.”

Camille’s eyes bored into Jenna’s as she digested her words. “Does everyone know?” She glared at each of them in turn.

They all muttered a truthful no in response. Camille stood, smoothing her dress down over her stomach, and made to leave the room.

“Camille!” Jenna was standing too now. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. We were only doing what Guy asked of us.”

Camille smiled and nodded. “I know. I don’t hold you responsible. You’ve all been lovely to me. Even though my husband behaves like a dick most of the time. I’m sorry.”

She left the room, leaving the four friends looking after her.

“Shit!” said Jenna.

“What did Guy really say?” asked Ameerah.

Jenna bit her lip. “That Camille was too attached to the children.”

“How can you be too attached to your children?” asked Nory.

“He also told Charles, though I’m not supposed to know, that Camille suspects him of having an affair.”

Nory gulped.