‘A man after my own heart,’ says Aaron, walking over to the conversation. ‘I mean, it might be a child’s game, but I still play to win.’

‘Woah there.’ Douglas’s hand flies up like some nineties ‘talk to the hand’ gesture. ‘Ultimate frisbee is not a child’s game. It’s a hardcore sport.’

‘Made all the more hardcore as we’re playing it in the dark,’ I chip in.

Soph groans, staring at her half-eaten cupcake. ‘Douglas, you can’t expect me to not eat dessert until after we’ve played?’

‘You just had a big bowl of pasta; surely you can’t be hungry?’

‘I’m still feeding Alfie, I’m always hungry. Besides, everyone knows that cakes go into the dessert stomach, that’s separate.’

‘I’m with Soph,’ says Verity, striding over. She looks as perfect as ever, despite her bemoaning her jetlag having arrived back from the US yesterday. ‘One cupcake is not going to hurt.’

‘Well, if we lose and it’s either of your faults, I’m going to blame the cupcakes.’ He puts his hands on his hips and glares at them.

Soph gives him a wink as she devours the rest of hers and picks up another before walking away. Verity picks one up from the stack.

‘Oh wow. These are too good. They’re easily as good as anything you get back home.’ She’s practically drooling as she eats. Douglas walks off towards the boys on the balcony, pretending to be in a huff.

‘Julie, the woman who made them, would be happy to hear that.’ I rearrange the cupcakes on the plate to fill in the empty gaps.

‘I’m so sorry, Edie,’ says Soph, interrupting, ‘but Alfie’s knocked half of my cupcake on the floor. He went to take a massive bite out of it and I wasn’t prepared for it.’

‘Can’t say I blame him,’ says Verity. She puts her hands out. ‘Give me the little dude. I’ve finished mine.’

She carries him over to the other side of the room and Joel walks inside to meet them. Alfie giggles as Joel keeps tickling him. It’s almost infectious and I find myself smiling at the sight. I sense I’m being watched and I turn to see Miles looking at me.

I hold up the plate of cupcakes, gesturing to see if he wants one, but he shakes his head and goes back to listening to what Brett is talking about.

‘Have you got a dustpan and brush and I can get this cleared up?’ asks Soph.

‘Yes, of course,’ I say, going under my sink and pulling it out. I hand it to her and I’m just trying to shove the clutter back in and make sure that none of it spills out when I turn around and see Joel.

‘You OK down there?’ He holds out his hand and pulls me up.