‘Dad, don’t mess about with that thing. And I’m actually feeling okay about things at the moment. The time I spend moping is becoming less and less.’ Her mum and dad shared a sly glance. ‘Why are you looking like that? And please start looking where you’re cutting before you slice your own fingers off. Why are you glaring at each other?’

‘We’re not,’ her mum replied in a thoroughly unconvincing way.

‘Yes, you are. Spill.’

It was Caro’s turn to join in now. ‘They’re looking like that because we all know where you spent yesterday evening and who you spent most of the day with too.’

‘I have to say you have wonderful taste, darling,’ Cynthia said. ‘He is rather hot.’

‘Mum! Stop it. Dad’s here.’

‘Oh, darling, your dad knows when someone’s handsome or not, and it’s not like I’m going to run off with him, is it?’

‘It’s fine, sweetheart,’ her dad said. ‘I think we all recognise that Nick’s an exceptionally good-looking chap.’

Bella pretended her body had grown warm from the heat of the kitchen and not the conversation. ‘My friendship with Nick is nothing more than that at the moment. Just a friendship.’

‘Ha!’ Caro shouted, making Luke jump. ‘You said at the moment. So does that mean you’d like to get all smoochy-smoochy kissy time with him?’

‘How old are you?’ she asked Caro teasingly. Knowing the pinkness of her cheeks were a giveaway for any lie she told, she may as well admit it. ‘I really like him, but I don’t know if I’m ready. I don’t know if he’s ready.’

‘I’m not sure he’d like all of us,’ said Cynthia. ‘I mean we’ve already got the Christmas decorations up outdoors.’

‘Took me half an hour with the foot pump to get that inflatable snowman up,’ Mungo interjected. ‘And I think the bugger needs a top-up today.’

‘I worry we’d be too much for him.’

‘You wouldn’t. He’s really—’ All eyes focused on her. ‘Really—’

‘Really what?’ Luke asked with a grin.

‘Really nice. He’s like you, Luke, except much better-looking.’

‘Ouch,’ Caro replied. ‘She got you there.’

‘Yeah,’ Mungo joined in. ‘Let’s hope the baby has got Caro’s looks and your umm …’

‘Brains?’ Luke offered. ‘Brawn? Sense of humour? Anything?’

‘Cheerful disposition,’ Mungo answered, and everyone sat down to eat still laughing.