Ugh. I really didn’t want to go there, but they were all looking at me expectantly. Arthur’s spoon had paused en route to his bearded mouth and even Joanna seemed to have been shaken out of her cocoon of misery at the prospect of my big reveal.

‘Um, about three months. Well, I started trying not to drink three months ago – had a bit of an epic fail – and then, since then, it’s been eight weeks and three days.’ Amber was hovering behind me, my sobriety angel. ‘Obviously I couldn’t have done it without Amber.’

‘Ob-viously,’ laughed Marco, and everyone looked up at her with adoration.

‘It’s all you, my darling,’ she said. She’d never called me darling before – I fondled the word internally. ‘Rachel’s been incredibly brave and determined, against some tough odds.’ Her voice dropped low. ‘People haven’t been as supportive as she’s deserved them to be, but she’s…’ – she paused, gazing at me meaningfully – ‘well, it’s been humbling to watch.’

Murmurs of congratulation bubbled up from the group, and I flushed, pleased now that I’d been brave enough to be truthful with them. Arthur cocked his head, contemplated me with something that looked like admiration, and I blushed even more, noticing how handsome he was. He glowed somehow, the flickering from the lit candles giving him a soft warmth. His face was lined and weather-beaten, but it looked distinguished in this light, his soulful eyes like melted chocolate. He felt like an anchor suddenly, a point of safety. I forced myself to look away.

Everyone tore into the stew, dipping hunks of bread into their bowls and throwing more compliments at Amber. She nibbled at hers, birdlike, deflecting the praise. Once the meal was over, she clapped her hands and stood up.

‘It’s great news that you’re all getting on so well, but I’m afraid it’s time to say goodbye.’ We all looked up at her, confused. Hannah’s bottom lip began to tremble. ‘Don’t be sad!’ laughed Amber. ‘It’s the first part of the healing journey we’re taking together. You’re going to shed your names for the next few days, try out a new one.’

‘Call me Romeo,’ said Marco, and Hannah giggled. My eyes flicked between them. Were they flirting already? It was unnerving to me. I trained my gaze on Amber, made sure I didn’t look at Arthur.

‘I don’t understand,’ said Joanna sharply. I’d learnt over dinner that she was a corporate lawyer and her tone suggested that this particular contract was faulty.

‘Let me explain,’ said Amber, her tone honeyed. ‘As I’ve explained to each of you in the work we’ve done together, each of us develops a shield very young, a core wound that imprisons us and steals our joy.’

‘What like?’ said Hannah.