Kate and Shaun are coming for dinner this evening, and we also invited Amy and Kieran for a sleepover. Unfortunately, despite including her in the invitation, Bella won’t be coming, as she’s going to a friend’s house. I can’t say I’m surprised. It would be deadly boring for her here with only adults or young kids for company. She’s in that tween middle-ground age where she doesn’t quite fit in either camp. Not that I would know how that feels as a parent, as Jess isn’t quite there yet, and Holly… well, Holly isn’t mine any more. But it’s ironic that of all the members of the Morris family who are coming over this evening, the one I want to see the most is the one who won’t be here.

I glance around the dining room, proud of how the small space looks – opulent yet cosy. The deep green of the Christmas tree blends beautifully with the dark-blue walls. The fairy lights twinkle, reflecting off the wine glasses, and the brass wall-lights glimmer and shine. The fireplace is laid, ready to be lit before they arrive, and Matt has sorted out a mellow music playlist.

Kate looked a little taken aback when I first invited them over. I suppose it might have seemed a bit full on, seeing as she only came to visit the other day. But I told her that we were going to be so busy over Christmas that this Saturday was the only free day we had until the middle of January. After her initial surprise at my invitation, she became overwhelmed and a little teary. She said that she had never expected to be made to feel so welcome. That she had received more kindness here in two weeks than in the years she’d spent in London. I gave her a brief hug and said it was my pleasure.

I do one last sweep of the dining room before declaring it perfect and returning to the kitchen, where the Moroccan casserole is bubbling on the stove. I’m making pizza for the children, which we’ve said they can eat in the lounge while watching a movie. Matt comes into the kitchen smelling fresh from his shower and starts helping himself to the nibbles I’ve laid out on the counter. I throw him a look.

‘What? I’m starving. And it all smells so good.’

‘You’re ruining my arrangement.’

He gives me a cheeky grin and eats another olive. ‘You’re really going to town tonight. You must like this Kate woman a lot. But will I like them? What’s her husband like? Have you met him?’

‘No, not yet. His name’s Shaun.’

‘Hmm. I hope he isn’t boring.’

‘I doubt it. Kate’s really nice so I’m sure she wouldn’t have married someone dull.’