‘Not cold, no – there’s a bottle in the larder, though.’ Louisa allowed Tiff to take over her kitchen. In a weird way, she enjoyed being mothered. Her own mum didn’t visit anymore, and after their ‘falling-out’ episode, Louisa only made infrequent trips to her parents’ home and even then it was only if one of them called, usually to say there was a problem that only Louisa could deal with.

The last time had been almost a month ago, and that was to change the hallway lightbulb. They’d barely set eyes on Noah – and for a reason Louisa couldn’t understand, didn’t seem all that bothered that they were missing out on his early months. She knew they were getting old now, but she had to admit, their lack of interest hurt her feelings. No matter what they’d fallen out about, their baby grandson should not be the one paying for it. Emily was in the midst of her teenage ‘I don’t want to visit them’ stage anyway, so she wasn’t worried about the lack of contact.

The argument had been so pathetic, too. Louisa remembered it had started when her mum had made a flippant remark about her anxiety attacks back in college – how Louisa had been poor at coping even back then. But as with most family arguments, she couldn’t remember how it had progressed to this point; how it’d stretched on for years. It was as though now it had begun, one of them had to carry it on to the bitter end, neither wanting to be the first one to ‘give in’ and apologise.

‘Here you go,’ Tiff said, handing Louisa the You’re My Queen mug Brian had bought her for Valentine’s Day. Because they needed more mugs.

‘I know you said you couldn’t remember much about my party, but I need you to tell me everything you do remember. You said you’d met Oliver; did you meet his wife too?’

‘Bits and pieces came back to me, you know how it is. Of course I remember the delightful Oliver. He’s so gorgeous, Lou.’ Tiff gave a coy smile.

‘Yes, yes – he’s certainly pleasant to look at …’

‘I can’t remember him even mentioning his wife though, let alone seeing her. Are you sure she was there?’

‘Well, this is the thing, Tiff. I think I saw her standing alongside Oliver when I first saw him, but I was too shocked seeing him there to take her in. Brian doesn’t remember seeing her, and now, neither do you. And I’m not sure enough to say either way.’

‘What does it matter?’

‘She’s missing.’

‘God, really?’ Tiff gasped. Louisa observed an immediate spark of interest light up her face.

‘Yes, and the last place Oliver saw her was at my party.’