Abby frowns. ‘You’re home! Is everything okay?’ It’s always a battle not to assume the worst.

She needn’t worry, though. Rob explains that he left his USB stick in his computer upstairs and needs it for work. He isn’t usually a forgetful person – in fact, Abby can’t remember a time when he’s ever left anything important behind.

‘Well, it’s a good job we weren’t talking about you – can you give us some warning next time, please?’ Sienna laughs, and they all join in. She heads over to Rob and gives him a hug.

‘Yeah,’ Rob agrees. ‘Not sure I’d want to hear that conversation.’

‘Oh, believe me, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Greg, on the other hand… I’m just kidding!’

‘So you forgot your USB?’ Abby asks.

‘Yep.’

‘Isn’t it backed up to the cloud?’ Sienna asks, smiling.

Rob frowns. ‘I thought it was, but I can’t find it. Anyway, don’t let me stop you from whatever you were doing.’

‘We were just going through the final plans for the kitchen,’ Abby explains.

‘You should have a look,’ Sienna urges. ‘Make sure you’re happy with it.’

‘Oh, I trust Abby.’ Rob turns to her, smiling. ‘I don’t have a clue about stuff like that, I’m afraid.’

Sienna gently nudges him. ‘You men are terrible. Anyway, it will just have to be a nice surprise for you then.’

Rob gives Abby a quick kiss, and from the corner of her eye she notices Sienna watching.

‘Nice to see you, Sienna,’ he says, rushing off.

Once he’s gone, Sienna seems quieter, as though she’s a sparkling drink that’s been left out too long and is losing its fizz.

‘Are you okay?’ Abby asks.

‘I’m fine. Just a bit of a stomach-ache. I’ll be okay, though, don’t worry.’

‘We don’t have to do this now,’ Abby is quick to say. ‘You should go home and rest.’

‘I can rest when I’m dead,’ Sienna says, and even though Abby forces a laugh, her thoughts dart straight to her mother. It’s exactly what she used to say.

‘How long have you and Rob been married?’ Sienna asks before taking a sip of the coffee Abby’s made.

Even though Abby is certain she’s told her before, she doesn’t expect Sienna to remember every detail of her life. ‘Just over a year.’

Sienna raises her eyebrows. ‘Newlyweds. I thought so. You’ve got that… freshness about you both when you’re together. You know, that excitement of it all being new.’

Abby frowns. ‘We’re not really newlyweds. Well, I suppose technically we are, but we lived together for a couple of years before that, so it doesn’t really feel new.’

‘Really? It’s still such a short time, though, isn’t it?’