I start to laugh, only to realise that people walking past me in the street are giving me a wide berth and I try and compose myself.

‘Hey, have you been waiting long?’ asks Miles, walking up and kissing me on the cheek.

‘Only a few minutes.’

I put my phone back in my bag, my cheeks hot from the last line in the email. Miles isn’t exactly one for trying new stuff in the bedroom.

‘Where do you fancy going for a drink?’ he asks.

‘Actually,’ I say, thinking of trying something different, ‘my work colleagues are taking part in an improv comedy competition. It’s in a function room of a pub so we can still have a drink.’

‘Sounds good to me.’

We start to ask after each other’s days as we weave through the town. We’ve got another half an hour before the improv starts so we prop ourselves at the bar and order our drinks, and our conversation soon turns to the stag do Miles has just returned from.

‘I’m still exhausted,’ he says with a groan.

‘All those art galleries tire you out?’

‘There was a lot of walking. Plus, the night out got quite wild. We dressed Wes up in a skin suit that was like Michelangelo’s David statue.’

‘Please tell me there are photos.’

He pulls out his phone from his back pocket and starts to scroll, my mind already boggling.

‘Ah, here we go.’

He goes to hand it to me, when it starts to ring. He makes an apologetic face and answers it. I can tell immediately from his tone that it’s work.

I stand at the bar, trying not to feel too self-conscious when Aaron hurries through the pub.

‘Aaron,’ I call out.

He does a double take.

‘Edie, you came? The guys will be so pleased that you made it.’ He keeps looking anxiously over my shoulder.

‘Is everything OK?’

‘Yeah, it’s fine. Or at least it will be when Hayley turns up; she’s late and we’re all a little jittery because the team that we’re battling was the one that knocked us out last year.’

‘I’m sure you’ll be fine.’

‘Maybe the extra support in the audience will help.’

‘Hopefully it will.’

He’s always so confident at work but he looks really nervous. Miles walks back up to us; he’s distracted, texting on his phone, his brow furrowed and he only notices Aaron at the last moment.

‘Hello,’ he says.

‘Miles, this is my work colleague, Aaron. Aaron, this is Miles.’

‘Nice to meet you. I’ve got to warm up but I hope we can catch up properly after the battle. So pleased you’re both here.’

‘Good luck and I hope Hayley turns up soon!’

He holds up crossed fingers and heads back towards the function room.

Miles reaches over to pick up his pint, taking a large sip.