‘Thanks for inviting us. It’s nice not to be nobby-no-mates any more. Here’s some wine. Not sure what you prefer so we brought a red and a white.’

‘We’ll drink anything!’ Matt takes the wine from Shaun and starts pouring drinks for everyone. He passes me a glass of red and I take a large slug.

Kate hands me a pretty bunch of pink roses and a box of chocolates.

‘Thank you so much. These are beautiful! Matt, do you want to show Kate and Shaun into the lounge? I’ll come through in a minute. I’m just going to put the children’s pizzas in. Take those plates of nibbles with you.’

Matt nods.

Once they’ve left the kitchen, I take a steadying breath. I need to focus and not lose sight of why I invited them here. This is about one thing and one thing only.

I check on the food one more time, take another gulp of wine and make my way after them into the lounge. They all seem to be getting on well if the laughter is anything to go by. The four of us make comfortable small talk for fifteen minutes or so until the oven beeps, letting me know the pizza’s ready. Matt takes Kate and Shaun through to the dining room, while I sort the children out in the lounge with their food and film. Once they’re settled, I dish up the adults’ casserole and carry it through to the dining room, where Matt is regaling the Morrises with anecdotes from when we were renovating our cottage.

‘It wasn’t funny at the time,’ I add. ‘Not when we were ankle-deep in black sludge and the electrics failed on Christmas Eve when Charlie was still a baby.’

‘That sounds like a nightmare!’ Kate looks truly horrified.

‘It wasn’t the best Christmas ever,’ I reply, setting the plates down.

‘But at least your place is gorgeous now,’ she says.

‘Small but perfectly formed,’ Matt says. ‘So where are you guys living?’

There’s a short pause before Shaun answers. ‘We’re renting a place just outside town.’

‘Settling in okay?’ I ask.

‘It’s a bit of an adjustment,’ Shaun replies, ‘but we’re getting there.’

‘Can I do anything to help?’ Kate asks me, making a move to get up.

‘No, I’m fine. Stay where you are. I won’t be a minute.’ After a couple more trips to and from the kitchen, everyone has their food and we’re all digging in. I’m next to Kate, opposite Shaun. Matt sits next to Shaun, opposite Kate.

‘This is delicious.’ Kate has already eaten almost half of what was in her bowl.

Shaun touches his fingers to his lips and makes a lip-smacking sound of appreciation. ‘Bloody lovely.’