‘Right, yeah, the gang.’ He sounded deflated and I cursed myself. I wanted to tell him that I’d be disappointed as I missed him all the time when he wasn’t there. That I thought about him all the time. That I was falling head over heels for him. But my mouth had gone dry and all of the words that were so desperate to spill out were stuck.

‘When Soph was sending her email, did you check yours?’ he asked.

‘Yeah, although mine wasn’t as exciting,’ I said with a shrug.

He stared straight at me, his eyes narrowing before he broke away and turned to leave.

‘I better get ready for my shift.’

He started to walk away and I was left stunned. What just happened?

‘But it doesn’t start for half an hour,’ I called but he either didn’t hear me or chose not to.

I heard him walking up the metal stairs. I nearly went after him, but I didn’t know what I’d say. I wondered why Joel was acting this way and where the man that I’d fallen for had suddenly gone.

Chapter 26

I’ve never had a party at my flat before and I’d always assumed it was too small to hold enough people, but looking around at everyone chatting, there seems to be plenty of nooks and crannies for people to stand, sit and perch. The doors to the balcony are wide open providing a much-needed breeze, and Miles is standing outside on it, chatting to Brett.

‘These cakes are amazing. Did you make them yourself?’ asks Soph, peeling off the paper case.

‘I’d love to say yes, but my dad’s friend Julie made them. They’re amazing, aren’t they?’

Dad brought them into work yesterday and I can’t help but feel guilty that when I texted her to say thank you that I deliberately didn’t mention the shopping trip. I know I’ve got to stop putting it off. It just seems like a very mum-and-daughter thing to do. She’s slipped so seamlessly into Dad’s life but I can’t help feeling disloyal to Mum that she might do the same into mine.

Soph takes a large bite and she groans and pulls a face.

‘These are amazing.’

‘Don’t you be eating any of those cakes.’ Douglas walks up to her with a pointed finger. ‘Not until after we’ve played; you’re on my team.’

‘Typical Douglas. Always competitive,’ I say, smiling up at him. He looks a hell of a lot better than he did two weeks ago. He’s still got big black bags under his eyes, but at least he’s got a healthier glow.

His brother is watching him like a hawk wherever he goes, but I’m glad that he’s got someone to look out for him.

‘I just like to win, doesn’t everyone?’