‘By all that is holy. Hannah Campbell, just look at you.’ Aidan released her and stepped back to give her a quick inspection. ‘How the bloody hell are you? Apart from being very wet,’ he boomed in the rich baritone he’d been famed for, stepping back and brushing down his front. At university he’d been renowned for his ability to spot friends at the front of the bar and yelling in his powerful voice, ‘Get us a pint’.

‘It wasn’t raining when I left,’ grumbled Hannah, despite the big smile on her face.

‘That’s the weather here for you,’ said Sorcha. ‘Come in. Come in. Come in.’

Aidan hooked an arm around her shoulder and dragged her unceremoniously into the large hallway.

‘It’s so good to see you, Hannah,’ said Sorcha, leading the way into a big farmhouse-style kitchen with an Aga built into a large inglenook. It looked as if they were doing very well for themselves, but then Aidan had always been a brilliant lawyer with a serious work ethic. ‘Tea. Builders? Same as always?’ She lifted a mischievous brow and Hannah immediately remembered how the two of them had got through pints of the stuff when they were revising for their finals in the house the three of them had shared. In some ways it seemed like yesterday.

‘Of course.’

As the tea was made they caught up on mutual friends, family, and all the latest news in a rapid three-way conversation with Aidan and Sorcha constantly interrupting each other.

‘Honest, moving back here was the best thing,’ said Aidan.

‘It was. Lovely to be near family.’

‘And we could afford to buy this place.’

‘If we’d realised how easy it was to practice—’

‘All you need is a certificate from the—’

‘It helped that you had a guaranteed job at your da’s practice.’

‘And the experience at Ingrams. I can’t believe you’re still there, Hannah.’

‘I can’t believe you’re here,’ said Sorcha for about the fifth time, patting her wrist. ‘It’s so good to see you.’

‘And you,’ said Hannah. ‘And still sane after working with Aidan for all this time.’

Sorcha rolled her eyes. ‘He’s a trial and no mistake. But not for much longer.’ She gave a sudden grin and patted her stomach.

‘No!’ Hannah’s eyes widened in delight.

‘Yes, another Fitzpatrick blessing the world.’ Sorcha sat back in her chair with a satisfied beam on her face. ‘It’s due next March.’

‘That’s wonderful news. Oh congratulations.’ Hannah felt tears welling up again. Her friends seemed so happy and settled, and for a moment a tiny nudge of envy pushed at her. Not that she was unhappy with her life but there was a difference between contentment and this shining happiness that exuded from both of them.