‘After the launch of the giving tree, when my stint finished, I subtly suggested to Johnny that the pub was open and I was hungry, and so—’

‘You had a date?’ Bella cheered, clapping her hands together. This was just the news she needed to cheer her up.

Nina blushed furiously. ‘We just went for a quiet drink—’

‘Umm hmm.’

‘But I don’t know if it was a date. I’m not sure Johnny thought it was one.’

Bella laughed. ‘What else could he think it was?’

‘Did he kiss you?’ Caro asked and Nina toyed with her ringlets.

‘No. But we sat very close together and a couple of times our fingers touched, and he didn’t pull away.’

‘How romantic,’ Cynthia said dreamily.

‘You don’t mind that we didn’t invite you, do you, Bella? It’s just that I wanted to see what would happen if we were alone and you were busy at the park so …’

‘I don’t mind at all. It would have been weird if you’d invited me given what you wanted to find out. As long as it wasn’t because I’ve been so miserable you didn’t want me around.’

‘You haven’t been miserable,’ Nina said. ‘It’s been nice to see you get back to your old self. I mean, you’ve not been one hundred per cent bright and breezy but more than I’d expect.’

Though the news was reassuring Bella asked, ‘Do you think that’s a bad thing? Do I seem heartless?’

Caro answered before Nina could. ‘God no! You don’t seem heartless. I think you’re doing the right thing, filling your life with new things and not wallowing over that scumbag. I’m proud of you.’

‘Me too,’ their mum added. ‘I think if I saw Evan now I’d find some exciting new use for your dad’s leaf blower.’ She loaded a cracker with cheese and popped it in her mouth.

Bella didn’t focus on what that new and exciting use might be.

‘Don’t eat all the cheddar,’ Caro scolded. ‘I’m not allowed Brie or Stilton so you can at least save me that and the posh chutney.’

Cynthia cut a wedge of cheddar and popped it on a cracker before handing it to her daughter. Caro gave their mum a soppy smile.

‘How was Freddie today?’ Bella asked Nina quietly so the others wouldn’t hear.

She paused from tying the ribbon on the tag they’d just made. ‘I’m a bit worried about him actually. He’s becoming more and more withdrawn in class and he’s not playing as much at breaktimes.’

‘I’ve been keeping an eye on Amias after everything Nick told me. He left him alone today, so I’m hoping that’s the end of it.’

‘What are you two talking about?’ Cynthia asked.

‘Just school stuff,’ Bella replied.