Nicky had so many questions. It had been a couple of months since they’d caught up properly – she’d been so busy with her edits they just hadn’t found the time. A coffee here, a phone call there, was all they’d managed. So much had happened in between. They excused themselves and ducked to the bathroom, where Jane told her the whole story, from how she’d met Miles, to how she knew so quickly he was the one, to how soon they’d be moving in together. By the time they started heading back to the table, Nicky was satisfied Jane was in fact very much in love and happy, and the men were deep in conversation about some sort of financial investment strategy.

‘Ah, here they are.’ Miles grinned as Jane sat down beside him.

‘We didn’t think you were coming back,’ Mark said.

‘Ha, ha.’ Jane took a sip of water. ‘A good catch-up takes time. I hope your ears were burning, you boys.’ She tapped Miles on the chest. Mark frowned.

As they finished off their drinks, the girls talked about their wedding plans, Jane’s far more detailed and formed than Nicky’s. Miles and Mark sat back and listened dutifully and when the bill came they split it. The afternoon sun began to sink behind the Harbour Bridge and they walked along the concourse, Nicky and Jane arm in arm.

‘I’ve finished my manuscript,’ Jane whispered in her ear.

‘What? That’s brilliant. Why didn’t you tell me?’ Nicky hugged her tightly.

Jane shrugged. ‘You’ve been so busy. And I figured now you’re a big-shot author, you might just laugh at me.’

Nicole stopped walking. ‘I’m hardly a big-shot. And I would never laugh at you or your writing. I love you both.’

‘Well, then. I was wondering, maybe, only if you have time. Would you take a look at it?’

Mark caught Nicky’s eye and tapped on his watch, and she paused, trying to figure out what he meant.

‘I mean, it’s okay if you say no. I’ll understand.’ Jane’s voice was soft.

‘What? No. Of course I want to read it.’ Her hesitation had given Jane the wrong idea. ‘I can’t wait.’

Jane let out a deep breath. ‘Thank you. Just to tell me what you think. Nothing more.’

Nicky put her arm around Jane’s shoulder and they continued along the concourse.

‘Well, that was a bit of a shock.’ Mark pulled Nicky closer to him in the back of the taxi.

‘Yeah, but they seemed so happy, didn’t they?’ Nicky lay her head on his shoulder.

‘I suppose.’

Nicky knew that tone of voice. ‘What?’ She lifted her head. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I don’t know. I just kind of wonder why it’s so out of the blue. You don’t think … no. That’s stupid.’

‘What?’