“What the actual fuck, Nory! Do you have a death wish or something?” They were talking in a loud hissy whisper that Nory was hoping would be absorbed by the thick walls and doors.

“She’s a nice person, she deserves to know.”

“I agree with you,” said Ameerah. “But you can’t tell her about Guy without confessing your part in it, and do you really want to do that? Do you really think you can look that woman in the eye and tell her that you had sex with her husband?”

“Oh my god, it sounds so much worse when you say it out loud. I’m a home-wrecker!” She started breathing into the hot-water bottle again.

“Look, Nory, you didn’t know he was married. This is on Guy. And I do agree that Camille needs to know what kind of man she’s married to, but you know the phrase ‘Don’t shoot the messenger’? Well, you’d be the messenger who slept with her husband.”

Nory grimaced. “So do I simply not tell her? So much for female solidarity!”

“Let’s just concentrate on having a peaceful and enjoyable dinner with Isaac for this evening, and we’ll focus on being true to the sisterhood tomorrow. One more night isn’t going to change anything.”

“Okay,” said Nory, laying the hot water bottle on her lap. “One crisis at a time.”

“Try not to think about dinner with someone you fancy as a crisis.”

“No, you’re right. And Jeremy and Dev will be there; they’re like an antidote to Charles and Guy.”

“Just enjoy yourself, Nory.” Ameerah laid the straightener down on the dressing table and ran her fingers through Nory’s hair. “You look gorgeous.”

Nory looked at herself in the mirror. Ameerah had done a good job, her usually beach-tousled hair had been transformed into smooth loose curls that bounced about her shoulders.

“Thanks, Ameerah, you’re a star.”

“I know.” Ameerah grinned and blew a kiss to Nory’s reflection in the mirror before leaving to ready herself for dinner.

Her dresses hung side by side in the wardrobe, and Nory bit her lip as she flicked through them, wondering which one would make her bottom look smaller and allow her to eat comfortably, while looking just the right amount of desirable. Isaac hadn’t seen her dressed up—she wasn’t counting the time she’d spent with a ripped dress in a wheelbarrow—and she wanted to impress him. She decided she would channel her inner Jessica Rabbit and wear the teal velvet. She shimmied into it and took a selfie in the full-length mirror, which she sent to Andrew. He messaged back immediately:

Gorgeous! Love the hair. Is that Ameerah’s work?

Thanks Yes, she is a woman of many talents. How is my shop?

Your shop is fine, sales are up. Had to re-stock the window.