Charley picks at her food feeling slightly discontented. She was looking forward to a really fun evening, teasing Amy about Cosmo whilst getting to know him better, chatting up Jack and making him laugh, probing a little more into Sam’s plans for his future. But nothing’s worked out quite as she hoped. Cosmo has done a runner, Jack is absorbed with Cara, and Amy and Sam seem to be developing a rather interesting new depth to their friendship. She’s conscious of Sam’s awareness of Amy, almost a protectiveness, which slightly puzzles Charley. Amy is being brittle, difficult to approach. Of course, it’s easy to imagine that she’s a bit miffed at Cosmo disappearing away like that – and with no very good explanation, by the sounds of it – but she’s surprised that Amy doesn’t want to have a little girly chat about it. And why did she suddenly dash across the bar like that to speak to the man sitting on his own in the corner? Clearly he isn’t a friend, or he’d have come over when everyone gathered round to toast Jack, so who can he be?

Charley is used to being the confidante, the best friend, but suddenly she doesn’t have a role to play. She’s finding Judith very hard-going – it’s clear that she’s not particularly enjoying herself despite her efforts to look pleasant – and Max seems slightly preoccupied. Charley turns to him, determined to make some kind of effort to be involved.

‘I haven’t managed to speak to Cara properly yet,’ she tells him. ‘How’s the house-hunting going? Has she found a place to live?’

To her surprise her question seems to touch a nerve. Max frowns, glances quickly across her at Judith, and then looks down at his plate.

‘No,’ he says quickly. ‘That is … Well, no. Several things in the pipeline …’

He waffles on for a bit, clearly uncomfortable, and Charley sighs and shakes her head. The whole thing is beyond her. The last time they all met up it was such fun, so easy, everyone having a great time. She’s been looking forward to this evening but somehow the magic ingredient is missing, although Jack seems to be having a great time. She tries to catch his eye, to raise her glass to him across the table, but he’s talking to Cara and doesn’t see her.