‘Well, make the most of this peace because it will all change if you have kids, which according to Rob won’t be too long from now.’ He winks, but somehow, coming from Greg it isn’t creepy.

Abby blushes. ‘Is that what he told you? We haven’t really spoken about it. There’s been a lot going on.’ She and Rob often make references to future kids, but neither of them has actually suggested trying for a baby. It’s as if they’ve thrown a ball in the air that neither one of them is waiting to catch.

Greg’s eyes widen. ‘A lot going on? Like what? Anything you want to talk about?’

‘What, are you a counsellor now or something?’

‘No, just happy to chat about anything.’ He looks at his watch. ‘And there’s still time to fill. The night is pretty young, I’d say.’

If she didn’t know it before, Abby decides she likes Greg. When she’d first met him, he’d struck her as serious, but now she’s seeing that when you break through his surface, as she’s doing now, there lies a sharp sense of humour, even if it is understated.

‘I just meant moving house was stressful. Leaving my hometown behind. It’s… lonely. A crushing kind of loneliness. Until I met Sienna.’ She’s had far too much to drink. She needs to be careful what she reveals to Greg. Some avenues should never be explored. She needs to change the subject. ‘I feel so lucky to have met her. She’s become a really good friend. And she’s definitely a lot of fun.’

Greg nods. ‘Yes, and what could be more fun than swapping partners for a night?’ He raises his glass and she clinks hers against his, both of them bursting into laughter when they realise their glasses are empty.

‘How about another?’ Greg says. ‘I’m beginning to feel like I’m sobering up.’

It’s bizarre to see Greg like this when he’s usually so guarded. ‘Shouldn’t doctors be above all that?’

‘Probably. But we’re human too. We might also have things we need to block out.’

If she hadn’t been drinking, she’d have deliberately ignored his statement. It feels too personal, too much like interfering in his marriage with Sienna, even though she can’t be sure this is what he’s referring to. Since getting to know Sienna, Abby has had a picture in her head that she and Greg fit together like jigsaw pieces, and she doesn’t want that image to crumble before her – what would that mean for the rest of them? But despite this, the alcohol gets the better of her.

‘What would that be then?’ she asks, her words so slurred that they barely make sense, even to her own ears.