‘Hi there,’ she began. It felt a bit forced, but she had to start somewhere.

‘Hi,’ he replied. His tone wasn’t unfriendly, but neither was it warm.

‘Look, I’m really sorry I’ve not spoken to you since I’ve been back,’ Pip said. ‘It’s been a bit . . . Well, you know. But I am sorry. I should have made a bigger effort.’

Jez’s expression said, ‘You’re only just working this out now?’ but his lips remained sealed. It seemed he wasn’t going to make it easy for her.

‘Anyway,’ she continued, ‘I was wondering if you fancied going out for a drink, for old times’ sake. A bit of a catch-up. You know . . .’

In the face of no response, Pip tailed off a little. Had she misjudged things? Maybe his girlfriend was the possessive kind who wouldn’t take kindly to him going out for a drink with an old flame, even if their relationship had been almost a lifetime ago. Or perhaps, more worryingly, there had been too much water under the bridge since they were teenagers, and he wasn’t interested in spending any time with the person she had become in the intervening years. Pip really hoped it wasn’t that.

He looked up, his eyes finding hers and transporting her straight back to her childhood in an instant. He hadn’t changed a bit, she thought, whereas she had done nothing but change.

Then he grinned at her. ‘Go on then,’ he said, ‘seeing as you asked so nicely. For old times’ sake, was that it? And also so I can tell you everything I know about old Miss Mountcastle.’ He raised an eyebrow as he spoke, and she knew he’d seen straight through her – of course he had. He knew her, or at least had known her, far too well for her to get away with a trick like that.

Pip felt her cheeks glow and she rolled her eyes. ‘You got me,’ she replied, giving him half a smile. ‘But it would be nice to have a catch-up too. Where do people drink these days?’

‘How about the Nag’s Head? Seven thirty suit?’

Pip nodded gratefully. ‘That’d be great,’ she said.