The summer flowers had long since passed, and even the autumnal colors were starting to fade. But a garden like this had to cater for every season, and though the borders were understated at this time of year, the patterns of the garden design were picked out by lines of evergreens, gravel paths, and stone columns showcasing bulbous urns and shapely Greek statues.

“Thank you, Jenna, it’s perfect.”

Jenna smiled wider.

“What’s it like for you being back in this neck of the woods?” Nory asked. “How long’s it been?”

“I’ve not been back to Hartmead since the day we left school,” said Jenna. “Sixteen years ago! It feels weird. Even just driving past the school to get here. It’s like it’s put me right back where I was, in that mindset. I’m not sure if . . . Oh, just ignore me, I’m being dramatic.”

“No, you’re not. I mean, I come to Hartmead quite often because of my family, but it feels a bit weird even for me. I certainly haven’t been up to the castle for years. And with all of us together . . .” Nory let the last sentence hang, realizing that they weren’t all together. She only needed to glance at Jenna’s face to see she was thinking the same thing. Nory cleared her throat and carried on brightly, “But it’ll be great to reminisce about the old days . . . I can’t wait for Charles to bring up my year-ten fringe!”

Jenna burst out a laugh, and the melancholy slipped back into the shadows. “Shit! I’d forgotten about your cringe-fringe!”

“The very one.”

“What were you thinking?”

“I was trying to look like Hilary Duff.”

“It didn’t work. So, what’s with Ameerah and the model?”

Nory shrugged. “Who knows! Maybe he’s her Christmas gift to herself?”

“I wouldn’t mind finding him in my stocking.”

“Jenna! You’re almost a married woman.”

“I know.” Jenna smiled like she had no control over it, a big wide smile that stretched across her whole face. “Can you believe it?”

“Actually, I can,” said Nory. “You two always had a spark.”

A shout from downstairs echoed through the house: “Oy, oy, let’s get this party started!”

Nory and Jenna looked at each other.

“Guy,” they said in unison.

Nory must have grimaced, because Jenna pulled a sympathetic face.

“Don’t worry about it, you didn’t know.”

“Everyone else did.”

“Not everyone. I didn’t.”

“I’m going to spend the whole time feeling like everyone’s watching how I react around them.”