“Must dash,” I interrupt as I spot Tamsin. “Bye,” I say to him over my shoulder, striding over to catch up with her.

“Excuse me, Tamsin. Felix, go and kick a ball with Harry for a few minutes.”

“We’re in a bit of a rush,” Tamsin says.

“Go on,” I say to the boys.

They don’t need any further encouragement.

“I understand that Harry told Felix you called me wicked.”

She laughs. Nervously.

I hold her gaze.

“It was a misunderstanding. It was something taken completely out of context. Felix really shouldn’t have kicked Harry.”

She gives me that annoying boys will be boys grin that infuriates me so much.

I wonder whether to mention that the police may be interested in the use of the word, wicked, but decide against it. Let her dig her own grave and get caught doing it.

“Actually,” she says, “it’s great that we’re having this little chat, as it has been decided that I’ll take over hosting the book group.”

I haven’t been imagining that I can sense the hatred coming from outside and my paranoia isn’t helped by this unwelcome news. I glance over to see if Greg is watching. I wonder why, now we’re such great pals, he didn’t think to mention this?

There is no sign of him.

“We all decided you’d be too busy preparing for your new arrival,” she said with a generous smile.

I can’t wait for her to be caught out, arrested and forced to confess.

“Thoughtful of you,” I say.

“Thanks, I knew you’d be fine about it. Greg is going to take some photos at the next meeting, raise our profile a bit.”

“It’s our local book group. There are ten members.”

Well, nine now if you exclude me.

“Yes, but it will be fun to share our views on social media, that way, more people can join in! What’s the point in living in this century if you can’t use it to your advantage?”

I honestly don’t know how she expects me to answer that.

“There’s just one more thing...”

What now? I half listen. Apparently, I broke some unspoken rule when I hosted a recent birthday party for Felix.

“The general feeling was that it was a little over-the-top, Marie. People can’t compete, and it isn’t fair to put that kind of pressure on others.”

Tamsin is lying. So many parents (well, two) messaged me afterward to say that their little ones had the best time! I didn’t have the confidence to have parties as a child. I couldn’t cope with being the main focus of attention. Felix and Emily will always have whatever kind of parties they like.

“It was his first birthday without Nina,” I say. “Honestly, you can’t begrudge the poor child that.”

“Nina didn’t want them to be spoiled,” she says, igniting fierce defensiveness deep within me. “You only did a small one for little Em.”

“She got exactly what she wanted, a pirates-and-princesses one!”

I spent hours online organizing Felix’s party after Stuart suggested we take a load of kids swimming! As if I’d want to leap about in a swimsuit in public, notwithstanding the sheer responsibility of all those children in water.