He started to go faster, taking corners more confidently, even overtaking a few people, including Heather and then Kirsty. He waved at her. Paul was still bombing around the track in his bright-red kart at almost twice the speed as some of the others. Jamie couldn’t believe he hadn’t done it before, but he had no reason to lie. He was clearly a natural. Or maybe now he had found a girlfriend he felt capable of anything, and that added confidence had turned him into a superstar karter. Jamie was pleased about Paul and Heather. Not just because he was tired of listening to Paul bemoaning his lack of luck with women and saying how dearly he needed a shag, but also because he wanted Paul to be happy. Paul was a good bloke, and a good friend. He deserved to be happy. It was an added bonus that he was going out with Heather. They didn’t have to worry about Paul introducing a new girl into their circle, a girl that they might not get on with. In fact, it was good news all round. They could go out as a foursome – maybe even go on holiday together. That might be a laugh.

He kept on karting for another hour, although the time seemed to go much quicker. Jamie saw Kirsty slow down and head off the track, then Heather did the same, and he followed. Paul kept going.

Jamie got out of his kart and pulled off his helmet, then went over to Kirsty and kissed her. ‘That was fantastic,’ he said.

She nodded. ‘I know. But I need a drink.’

‘Me too,’ said Heather. She looked back at the track, following Paul’s go-kart with her eyes.

The attendant that had spoken to them earlier came over. ‘Your friend’s very good,’ he said. ‘Very few people pick it up as quickly as him.’

‘That’s my boyfriend,’ said Heather.

‘And she’s so proud,’ laughed Jamie.

They headed off towards the cafe, where Lucy was already ensconced, nursing a cup of tea. When she saw them come in, her face did that thing that Jamie had noticed before, flicking from a frown to a smile in a peculiar instant. Jamie, Kirsty and Heather went over to join her.

‘Having fun?’ Lucy asked.

They chorused their enthusiastic assent. Jamie went over to the counter to buy lunch and the women sat down. Lucy had a novel lying in front of her, but it looked untouched, with no bookmark protruding from the virgin-white pages.

‘Aren’t you bored, sitting in here on your own?’ Kirsty asked.