Douglas comes out before I can finish that sentence. He pops open the bottle and both Joel and I automatically hold our glasses out.

‘Isn’t this fun? The old gang back together,’ says Douglas. ‘How many years has it been? Twelve? Thirteen?’

‘Seventeen,’ I say without having to think of it.

‘Man, we’re old. Well, you’re lucky, Edie, this is the longest time since then that Joel’s been in the country.’

‘So lucky,’ I mutter under my breath and I feel his eyes burn into me.

‘If there hadn’t been that storm, and mister clumsy over here breaking his ankle, Joel wouldn’t be here. Although it’s pretty much healed now, I bet he and his itchy feet will be off again in no time.’

‘You never did want to settle down.’

‘Speaking the hard, honest truths, Edie. I like it.’ Douglas laughs and high-fives me. I didn’t mean it to sound so bitchy, or maybe I did. I need to stop drinking.

‘What are we talking about?’ Soph walks back over the lawn with a freshly changed Alfie.

‘We’re just wondering when Joel’s going to be off again.’

‘You can’t go anywhere. Alfie would miss his uncle Joel too much.’

‘At least someone would miss me.’

‘I’d obviously miss you too,’ says Douglas. ‘I’m surprised you haven’t been tempted back to Cannes.’

‘That’s where Joel’s girlfriend works,’ Soph adds.

I try and nod, ignoring how it feels like I’ve been punched in the gut. I’ve got a boyfriend and, even if I didn’t, Joel’s the last person I’d ever want.

‘For the moment at least,’ he says, taking a swig of his drink.

‘She works on superyachts too, and the two of them are always off on one adventure or another,’ says Soph.

‘You know, I’m not against her whisking you away somewhere more exotic.’ Douglas winks at Joel.

‘Do I look like a travel agent?’ he says, shaking his head. ‘Always trying to get a free holiday.’

Douglas shrugs. ‘Can’t blame a guy for trying.’

The Arctic Monkeys song that was playing stops and it’s replaced by ‘Filthy/Gorgeous’ by Scissor Sisters.

Soph bursts out laughing and points at Douglas.

‘Oh no, not this song,’ he says with a groan. ‘This reminds me of the time that guest locked me in her caravan for days.’

‘Why do you think I added it to the list?’

‘I’ll have you know that was a very traumatic experience. She locked me in from the outside, and the window only opened about ten centimetres.’

‘Come on, weren’t you only stuck inside for a few hours?’ says Joel.

‘Was that all it was?’ I start to laugh.

‘It felt like days.’

‘Didn’t she have claws or something?’ says Soph, scrunching her hand like a claw, causing Douglas to shudder.