‘Of course not.’ Bonnie had shaken her head like it was a stupid suggestion, but her heart twinged at hearing Sophie call him Ollie. Years before, Bonnie had called him Ollie. Admittedly lots of people had, but still, it stung hearing Sophie say it with a sense of ownership. ‘Oliver and I dated a long time ago.’ A very long time ago, but somehow she felt more uncomfortable and jealous of Oliver being with Sophie than she had of him being married to Amy for all those years. Judging Sophie on who she was at high school wasn’t fair, but Oliver had known that Sophie too, and now he was with her?

‘Oh, goody, that’s such a relief.’

Bonnie smiled tightly and reminded herself to breathe through their conversation. ‘Oliver, how is he?’ Bonnie hadn’t seen him in years, but his face filled her mind as though she saw him every day.

‘Oh, he’s great. He’s such a sweetheart.’

Sophie’s smile made Bonnie want to throw up.

‘Here he is now.’

Bonnie turned and saw Oliver walking up the aisle, his stride faltering for the slightest second at seeing her. But then he smiled, and she’d momentarily been taken back to being seventeen, spending long summer afternoons at the beach with him. Lazing on a towel, their bodies intertwined, eyes gazing, lips touching, a constant desire for more …

She tried to swallow before speaking, but still her voice had squeaked, ‘Hi.’

Oliver went in for a big hug. ‘Good to see you, Bon.’

Bonnie felt a little awkward in front of Sophie but allowed herself to be swept up in his arms for a second.

He’d aged, and even though Bonnie had wanted to take her time to take in his features, she forced herself to look away.

‘Did you hear we’re getting married?’ Sophie had taken a step closer to Oliver, linking her arm through his.

‘Yes,’ Bonnie had said steadily, probably one thousand times calmer than she’d been when she first heard the news. She had felt Oliver’s eyes on her and wondered whether he was noticing the lines around her eyes or her grey hairs starting to show. ‘Congratulations.’

‘Check out my rock,’ Sophie said, thrusting out her left hand for Bonnie to see her engagement ring.

Bonnie noticed Oliver grimace, and this offered her some comfort in such an awkward moment.

‘It’s beautiful.’ Bonnie’s voice was soft as her eyes almost glazed over at the large square-cut diamond.

Sophie had watched her, analysing her reaction. Bonnie felt sick.

‘We better get going,’ Oliver had said.

‘So good seeing you.’ Sophie smiled.

Bonnie had returned a look that was as close as she could manage to a smile while not looking at either of them directly.

They’d said goodbye, Sophie grabbing Oliver’s hand as they walked away. Oliver glanced over his shoulder and mouthed, ‘Sorry.’