I’m being careful. This isn’t a suggestion. This is what I expect you to do. Do you understand?

I don’t answer at first, because I don’t know what to say. Instead I scrape my chair back and take my glass to the sink, tip out the dregs of my wine and wash it up. On second thoughts, I can’t stay here.

Cora brightens when I tell her.

It feels all wrong to be dressing up, but I make myself flick through my clothes. I pick skinny black jeans, a silky green top with the corners of the shoulders cut away in two large scoops, another scoop for my cleavage; the highest heels I possess, lifting me four inches in a pair of studded black boots. I wet my hair, rub in some mousse and blow-dry it upside down. I put make-up on, add a brighter lipstick, stare critically at my reflection and wrinkle my nose. Trying too hard, it makes me look like I want people to think I don’t care. Douglas hated it if I overdid it. He said it demeaned me. Nick isn’t keen either, but he’s kinder about it. I brush the oomph out of my hair and tone down the lipstick. My phone dings and I pick it up, expecting it to be Cassie or one of the others, but it’s Douglas. I never responded to his last message. He won’t like that.

So? his text says. Have you finished mulling it over? I need to know I can trust you, Grace.

I tap out a curt response.

Lottie would tell me if there was anything about Tim that made her feel uncomfortable. She certainly wouldn’t willingly spend time with him. You don’t have to worry.

He doesn’t reply.

‘My goodness, don’t you look stunning,’ Tim says when I totter downstairs.

I get into the people carrier, hired for the occasion, squeezing into the back row between Mara and Cassie, while Anna sits between Cherry and Kit. Susanna sits beside the driver. I note Anna’s easy familiarity with these women. I didn’t know she’d become so pally with my friends. Then I spot Mara flicking Kit a glance. Anna is pissed. She must have had a drink or two before she came out. I feel for her; she’s nervous, keen to be seen as fun, to be part of the in-crowd, so scared of missing out that she’s overcompensating. I resolve to be extra nice to her.