Megan thought of James and her heart sank. She’d have to explain very quietly at the door when he came to collect her that she couldn’t go. He’d be disappointed, as was she, but Georgie was her priority. She’d never known her and Tom to argue to the point Georgie stormed away in tears. And it was her, Megan, she’d come to, which of course was how it should be and she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I’ll go get you some. I have some new pink fleece ones, really cosy.”

“Thank you, Megan. You’re the best, you know that.”

“And you’re the best too, my best friend.” She peeled away a lock of Georgie’s hair that was stuck to her hot cheek. “It will be all right, you know.”

“I hope so.”

“It will be. You’ll see.”

As Megan was rooting around in her drawer for the new pyjamas she heard Georgie’s phone ring, then her voice. It sounded a little heated and she wondered if it was Tom calling to talk things through. If so, she wasn’t sure what his chances were of winning Georgie round tonight.

“Here you go,” Megan mouthed, wandering back into the living room and setting down the clothes.

“You’re where?” Georgie said into the phone. She frowned at Megan as though not understanding the conversation she was having. “What window?” She paused and sniffed. “Oh, okay.”

Georgie walked to Megan’s big window then let out a squeal.

Megan rushed to see what she was looking at.

Tom stood at the end of the path. Looking tall and handsome in jeans and a tight grey T-shirt. He held a huge bunch of red roses and a big bit of card that had the word sorry written on it in marker pen. He was holding both things in one hand and in the other his phone that was pressed to his ear.

“Tom!” Georgie shouted. “You’re here?”

Megan couldn’t hear his reply but she could see his mouth moving as he stared at them both.

“Yes, I’m coming, now. Okay.” Georgie flicked off her phone and turned to Megan. “I won’t be needing the pyjamas now. Tom is taking me out. He’s sorry, he’s said we’ll talk about it and he’ll change the whole trip if I really can’t cope.”

“See,” Megan said, smiling and her heart lifting. “It will all be okay because you love each other.”

“We do, very much.” She gave Megan a final hug then dashed from the room, the front door banged behind her.

Megan watched as Georgie ran down the path and flung her arms around Tom’s neck. He swirled her around, his face also full of emotion.

Yes, Megan, thought, they really would be all right, more than all right, they’d be just perfect.

Chapter Ten