‘How’s your chicken, Willow?’ asked Rick, ‘it is cooked enough, isn’t it?’

‘It’s absolutely delicious,’ she replied, ‘just as Lucas said. Top marks to you, Tom.’

Clearing her throat, and with no attempt to disguise her irritation, Martha said, ‘Rick, I can assure you under no circumstances would Tom serve undercooked chicken.’

‘Hey, I didn’t mean to cause any offence,’ Rick said. ‘But what with the terrible news Willow had recently I just feel it only right we should take extra care.’

Her expression suddenly anxious, Martha looked at her sister. ‘What terrible news? There’s nothing wrong with the baby, is there?’

Willow shook her head. ‘No, it’s my friend Lucy, she had a miscarriage.’

‘Oh, that’s awful,’ said Martha. ‘What happened?’

‘I don’t know the details, only what Simon texted me on Lucy’s behalf. I’m so sad for them both.’

‘Perhaps now you can understand why I don’t want Willow taking any unnecessary chances,’ persisted Rick.

Sensing an undercurrent of discord between Martha and Rick, Naomi decided she’d had quite enough of his constant fussing. It was grating on her nerves, and what it must be doing to Willow was anybody’s guess. ‘Of course, we understand that, Rick, but Tom and Martha are in the same boat as you and Willow, so I don’t think you need to worry unduly while here.’ He looked far from happy at her admonishment, which she only meant as a mild rebuke, but really the last thing either Willow or Martha needed was a pessimist scaring them with predictions of doom and gloom. Pregnancy was scary enough without piling on any extra fear.

‘So, Lucas,’ said Tom, changing the subject, perhaps wanting to try and lift the mood, ‘how long are you over here for?’

‘I fly home tomorrow.’

‘That’s a shame,’ said Willow. ‘For Ellis, that is,’ she added, turning to look at him. ‘I expect you’d have liked him to stay for longer, wouldn’t you?’

‘You’re right, Willow,’ Ellis said, ‘I would. Maybe you could talk him into visiting again and soon.’

She smiled. ‘I’ll do my best. But you’ll be here for the wedding, won’t you, Lucas?’

‘Just as soon as I know the date, I’ll be booking my flights. Oh, and just so as you know, Dad, I’ve decided I’m going to be your best man.’

‘Is that so?’ said Ellis.

‘You’re not going to turn me down, are you?’

‘Are you kidding? I’m delighted!’

‘Well, Mum, in that case, who’s going to give you away?’ asked Willow.

‘I’m afraid I haven’t given it any thought,’ answered Naomi. ‘But surely at my age it’s completely unnecessary. I can walk up the aisle alone, can’t I?’

‘No, no, there are traditions to be upheld,’ said Ellis. Sitting next to her, he placed his hand over hers. Naomi’s instinctive reaction was to withdraw her hand from his, worried his gesture might embarrass her daughters, but she fought the urge to do so for fear of upsetting him. It was all such a minefield, this falling in love at their age; it was as if they couldn’t help but offend somebody.