She’s my sister, he’d said. She’s loyal to her friends. I know it’s annoying. But that’s all it is. Loyalty.

She’s trying to break us up. And she will, if you don’t tell her to stop all this bullshit.

There was no way he was risking their relationship because of Tessa’s friendship with Lindsey, and he had told Tessa exactly that. She called Annabelle a bitch who didn’t deserve her brother. He left her to cool off and things eventually settled down. Annabelle seemed to have forgiven her and moved on.

Still, there was an edge in their relationship that was never far from the surface. And right now it was in the open, given that Lindsey had just showed up in the pub after their first son’s christening, apparently because of something Tessa had done.

‘So?’ Annabelle said. ‘What does “not exactly” mean?’

She held up her hands. ‘I saw her last week in town and she asked after Matt. I mentioned that you guys had a son, and then said, “The christening is next week actually, at St Wilfrid’s.” And she said, “I suppose you’ll be at the pub afterwards for a drink?” and I said, “Yeah, that’s the normal drill” or something like that.’ She puffed out her cheeks. ‘I had no idea she’d come. I didn’t invite her.’

‘For God’s sake, Tessa,’ Matt said. ‘What were you thinking?’

‘I’m sorry! I didn’t want to ruin your christening. I mean, Jesus. It’s not my fault she showed up, is it?’

Annabelle gave her a sweet smile. ‘No, it isn’t. Don’t you worry about it. It’s fine. I hope she’s OK. She seemed to be struggling a bit. I mean, Matt and her broke up a long time ago. I’m surprised she’s still thinking about it.’

Matt stuck out his bottom lip. ‘I’m a very sought-after man,’ he said. ‘Losing me could scar a person for life. Once you’ve had sight of the mountaintop, life in the valleys is unbearable.’

Annabelle rolled her eyes. ‘I think you know what I mean.’

‘You’re right,’ Tessa said. ‘She’s had a really hard time. I don’t know exactly what happened, but at one point she disappeared. She was living with her parents and just vanished. They found her a week later, in a homeless shelter in Birmingham.’

‘Who was the guy?’ Matt said.

‘Her boyfriend. He’s called Anton. They’ve been together a while. He’s been good for her.’

‘Are you still friends?’ Annabelle said.

‘Not as such,’ Tessa said. ‘But I stay in touch. And it’s a small town. I’ve seen them out together. She was doing better, but from today’s evidence she’s had a relapse. Anton was upset about it.’