An internal shudder swept through my body. I wanted to ask her who had been the one to ask her, but I didn’t want to hear the lie she’d concoct. ‘Right,’ I said lamely.

She gave a little giggle. ‘It’s so nice, still being treated as part of the Appleby clan.’

Dad had appeared alongside Mum now: their bodies looked as stiff as marionettes – I longed for them to put on a better show. I had to get away, but I didn’t want Guy to lose track of me.

‘And who’s the new man?’ I said. ‘I saw how he was looking at you in the church. Is it serious?’

Esther gave another grating giggle.

‘We met online. Time will tell, I suppose.’ She gave a little shrug.

Just then, Guy reappeared at my elbow, two champagne glasses held firmly in his meaty paws.

‘And who’s this?’ Esther asked.

I dumped my empty glass, grabbed the fresh one and, without taking the time to think through the wisdom of it, grabbed Guy’s free hand with my own.

‘This is Guy,’ I said, letting his name linger significantly, stepping closer to him.

‘Hi,’ he said, awkwardly, no hand free to shake. His palm felt stiff against mine, unyielding. This didn’t feel like the beginning of a love affair.

‘I’m Esther. I was Rachel’s au pair, hard as it is to believe.’

I dropped his hand.

‘Strictly speaking you were Sophie’s au pair,’ I said icily, aware that Guy must be thinking I was more unstable by the second.

I took a swig of my drink, aware the room was starting to feel a little blurry around the edges. I should have eaten more than a lone slice of toast for breakfast.

Esther didn’t miss a beat. ‘Hard to remember now, when you all made me so welcome! Anyway, lovely to see you, Rachel. Hope we can catch up properly soon. Good luck with the promotion.’

‘Bye, Esther,’ I said, forcing a smile entirely for Guy’s benefit. I turned my gaze upwards towards him as soon as she’d retreated. ‘Sorry about that.’

‘All felt a bit lipsticks at dawn,’ he said, slightly flustered. I took a tiny step backwards.

‘She’s a stupid bi—’ I thought better of it. ‘Long story. I won’t bore you with it. Thanks for braving the crowds in search of bubbles.’

Bubbles – it sounded so innocuous.

‘Your wish is my command,’ he said, his smile wolfish now. ‘And I can’t imagine you ever boring me.’

‘Trust me, I can be very, very boring,’ I said. The one thing that I excelled at back then was flirtation.

‘So, tell me about your promotion,’ he asked. ‘Is that very, very boring? What is it you do, anyway?’