I suppose I deserve her suspicion, after the amount of poking and prodding I’ve sent her way over the last fortnight. So when I reply, I take care to remain perfectly serious. “Because I would just love to see those snobs attempt to judge me. I dare them. In fact, I dare them to ever judge you again. If anyone says a word to you, you let me know. Okay?”

Danni smiles hesitantly, and I hold out my hand for it.

“Besides,” I say, fighting a grin. “Like I said. It’s a lovely parka.”

I don it as we walk. “I ski,” I say, after a period of silence.

“What’s that?”

“You asked me about snow sports. I ski. And I skate, a little.”

“Oh.” Danni looks rather pleased at this. “I love skiing.”

“There’s a senior snow trip next year. Don’t expect Molly to join, though, it’s her worst nightmare.”

“Noted.”

“I’ll be there, though,” I add. Why did I say that? To let her know a fact? Or to imply she’ll have a friendly face there if she joins?

Danni locks eyes with me. I get the sense she’s trying to search for the answer to that very question in my gaze. “Noted,” she says again, somewhat quizzically.

When we return to the game, Danni, who’s now wearing the same jumper as everybody else, gives me a grateful glance before joining Molly’s side. I seem to be attracting a number of curious and confused stares in my new attire, and it’s rather difficult for me not to break into laughter. Especially as I start making eye contact with everyone looking and they avert their gazes to the ground one by one. Honestly.

Molly flips the camera to Danni. “And Danni’s back from wherever she went,” she crows, as though I’m not here at all. “Just in time to completely miss the incredible final try of the game.” She lowers the phone and beams at Danni. “We won, by the way.”

“What are you wearing?” Alfie asks me as I sit.

“Do you like it?” I ask.

“It’s…” He seems lost for words. I wonder if he’s remembering our discussion at the state banquet regarding his judgmental streak.

“A lovely parka,” I fill in for him pointedly.

“A lovely parka,” Alfie agrees, shaking his head and smiling.

Now that I’m no longer concerned about Molly’s well-being, I find it much easier to pay attention to the girls’ match. As the game winds to a close, and the players shake hands, a thought occurs to me. I unlock my phone and pass it behind me to Danni, dragging my gaze from her eyes to the phone.