‘Planning on running off into the sunset with one of them?’ Even though I knew in my belly that he must be joking, there was something in his tone that made me uncomfortable. And I couldn’t work out what reaction he wanted. ‘Anyway, Dad just commented on how he didn’t expect us to settle down and all the rest of it. He gave me the same “Are you thinking straight?” speech that everyone else has given us.’

I frowned. Not everyone had given us that speech. But the comment made me wonder who he’d been talking to. I shook my head and tried to find what felt like the right response. ‘Thinking straight or not, when you know, you know. Right?’

‘Right.’ He fidgeted, then smiled, a wide smile that looked clumsy on him. ‘So, I’m driving home Sunday morning. It should take a couple of hours, if I leave early enough, and I was wondering if I could swing by? Probably around lunchtime.’

‘I can make us something?’

‘No, no, that’s not what I meant. I just thought – you know, on my way back, it’d be good to see you. Catch up, talk.’ He gave a tight smile. ‘I haven’t made plans with the lads or anything. I didn’t know whether you were seeing the girls?’

‘Oh, no, I’m seeing them Friday night for the—’

‘Ah, the master plan?’

I laughed. ‘The master plan. I’ve got everything ready. They think it’s just dinner. I don’t know that they’ve guessed there’s anything more to it.’

‘Good.’ He nodded and then looked around the room. ‘That’s really good.’ He sounded like he wanted to say more but didn’t.

Something’s off, I decided, then. ‘Babe, is everything okay? You look like there’s something stuck in your throat.’

‘It’s just been weird, being away from you like this. I’ve thought too much.’ He laughed, and it at least sounded more genuine than the last attempt he’d made. ‘I’ve spent too much time with Mum, too much time talking to Dad. You know what it’s like with them.’

‘Parents and their crazy ways.’ I tried to sound like I was talking generally. But yes, I knew all about Rowan’s parents and how wearing it was to be around them for more than five minutes – let alone half a week. ‘Well, you’ll be home soon.’