They spend the rest of the morning going over Sienna’s design plans until Sienna has to leave. ‘I’ve got a doctor’s appointment,’ she informs Abby. ‘Hey, I’ve had an idea – we’re having a barbeque next Saturday – it will just be a few of Greg’s work friends and their wives – you and Rob should come. Yes, definitely come. It’s about time Greg and Rob met – I think they’ll really get along.’ She doesn’t give Abby the chance to say no.

She doesn’t know it at the time, but Abby will remember the first time Rob and Greg are introduced. She will eventually realise that everything hinges on this moment, and it could so easily have gone a different way. A better way, for all of them.

They’re late for the barbeque – hours late, and when they finally arrive at Sienna’s, everyone’s already eaten.

‘I’m so sorry,’ Abby says. She’s already messaged Sienna to explain how they were held up in Reading and then got stuck in traffic that didn’t move. It was only as they finally started to crawl along that they realised there’d been an accident. A burning car. Ambulances. Police. Fatalities, Abby is sure of that.

Sienna gives them both a hug then grabs Abby’s hand. ‘Not your fault. Please don’t apologise – you’re here now.’ She leans closer, her voice almost a whisper. ‘And I can’t tell you how glad I am that you are. I’ll explain later.’ She turns to Rob and loops her arm through his. ‘First, I need to introduce you to Greg – I’ve been dying for you both to meet.’

As Sienna leads them through the house, Abby realises she’s nervous. What if Greg doesn’t like Rob, or vice versa? She enjoys Sienna’s friendship, has come to depend on it, and can’t bear the thought of anything placing a dent in it. If she forces herself to be logical, then she knows that their husbands not liking each other shouldn’t affect their own friendship, yet she feels anxious as they head out into the garden.

Greg’s standing by the gazebo, huddled together, deep in conversation with three other men, who Abby assumes are also doctors. Sitting down close by them are three women, who all turn and stare as they approach. Sienna grabs Greg’s arm. ‘This is Rob. Finally, you get to meet!’

Greg stops talking and smiles, reaching out his hand to Rob. ‘I feel like I already know you,’ he laughs.

‘Same here,’ Rob says, shaking his hand.

Greg leans down and kisses Abby on the cheek. ‘Lovely to see you again. Let’s get you both something to eat and drink.’

Later, when everyone except Rob and her have left, Abby sits in the kitchen with Sienna, finishing another bottle of wine, as Rob and Greg chat in the garden.