And I really don’t want to watch him dating anybody else.

It might damage my battered heart irreparably.

‘Listen up everybody!’ My dad’s voice is booming out. I turn around miserably to look at him. All happy and preening, centre stage. ‘As you all know we’ve asked you here to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Come on, come on, darling. Join me. Who would have thought this lovely woman would still be putting up with me after so many years?’

I blink back the tears as my mother makes her way over to him. She looks so elegant, so beautiful. So poised. I don’t feel poised at all.

A solitary tear plops gently on to my cheek, but I try to smile as she glances my way, meets my eye and winks.

I wipe the tear off with the back of my hand and try and smile brightly back.

He drapes a possessive arm over her shoulder.

How did I never notice that my dad is looking a bit, well, fake these days? His hair is too dark, the wrinkles that should fan out from his eyes and mouth are practically non-existent, his clothes are just that bit too trendy. He’s trying that bit too hard. The handsome charming man hasn’t faded, he’s been remade. It’s wrong. Far more wrong than what he’s accused me of. All I’ve done is tried to be more me. Dad has tried to be somebody else.

‘Now the question is, will she still be at my side after another thirty years?’

‘No.’ My mother’s voice rings out, clear and bright. ‘No, she won’t.’ The room was fairly quiet before, now there is a deadly silence, then a few nervous titters. ‘In fact, she won’t be at your side for another thirty minutes. Victor, darling, consider this advance warning of divorce papers being served.’ She takes one step away from him. ‘Now everybody, plenty more champagne at the bar – grab it while you can, I might be penniless this time next week! He’s all yours, Serena!’ She raises her glass in Serena’s direction. ‘Oh, and Dinah! And Bella, oh and I mustn’t forget Julia, and Elizabeth, oh dear I think I’m going to have to put a list up!’ She grins, and it is genuine. Mum looks more relaxed than she has in ages. ‘Cheers girls!’ And with that she strides through the crowd, who part but lean in to kiss her cheek and pat her on the back. I’m sure I hear a few muffled ‘bravos’, it’s all frightfully civilised.

I don’t feel civilised at all.

I watch her go, and my gaze is drawn to a solitary man. Noah. He looks back for a second. A steady stare. No smile, no raised glass, no wink.

And then he turns and walks away.

‘Oh dear, has Noah gone already?’ Mum slips her arms through mine as I watch him cross the lawn and go out through the side gate. Not even glancing back.

‘He had to er, go somewhere,’ I say lamely. Not wanting to actually lie to my mum, but not wanting to explain either. ‘Are you okay, Mum?’