‘She is, but she’s like my sister. I’ve known her forever. She grew up just down the road from me and she spent as much time in my house as she did in her own. My mum used to babysit her while her parents were at work.’ He examined his coffee cup as if he might find the next sentence hidden in the logo on the side. ‘She pretended to be my nearest and dearest because she knew my parents were away and she wanted to make sure I was going to be well looked after.’ He pointed towards the bandage on his head. ‘Sometimes it feels as if she’s almost taken ownership of me, but the fact is, I’m probably the nearest thing she’ll ever have to an older brother.’ It was true. Estelle had all but taken up residence at his bedside. She’d have had to lie to the nursing staff on duty too; otherwise, they’d never have let a casual girlfriend or friend into ICU. Wouldn’t Pete have done exactly that for her, if they were in the same situation?

‘No, I get it. She’s been really worried about you. Sometimes hospital rules are meant to be broken.’

‘Exactly. Now my parents are here, I’m hoping that she’ll take a step back and enjoy what’s left of Christmas with her own friends and family.’ He smiled.

‘What about you? Aren’t you meant to be getting engaged one of these days?’

‘Oh, you don’t want to hear about my love life.’ She laughed in spite of herself, but he was still waiting for an answer. ‘Okay, here it is; I’ll give you the edited highlights only. I’ve been with someone for years, that is until a few nights ago when I went back to my flat and discovered that he’s been seeing my best friend’s girlfriend behind my back, probably for months.’

‘Ooh, painful.’ Finn raised his cup in toast to her. ‘I’m sorry; it really has been a crappy Christmas for you, hasn’t it?’

‘You could say that, or you could say that I’m looking forward to an exciting new year.’ Liv leant back in her seat and she felt the glorious winter sun penetrate the glass window at her back. ‘I’m surprising myself when I say this, but I’m actually looking forward to a new start. Things with Eddie, well, perhaps they were never really right to begin with.’

‘How do you mean?’

‘Long story, but the simple truth is, at this point, I actually feel as if finding out about him and Anya is almost a relief. Does that sound crazy? I mean, it was terrible in the beginning and still, there are moments when I feel so betrayed, but somehow, it feels as if I have hope of something better for the first time in as long as I can remember.’