I haven’t been able to stop looking at the ring on my left hand since Rupert slid it onto my finger at Sadie’s party. Of course, I am happy – who wouldn’t be? – but a little part of me, every time I look at it, sees Rupert and Sadie standing close together in the kitchen, holding hands, as I strain my ears and try but fail to hear what they are saying, before hearing Rupert’s voice in my mind saying, ‘No, I didn’t see anyone.’ The whole idea of it makes me feel odd, even though I know they have over twenty years of shared history, while Rupert and I have only been together for a few months. I don’t feel able to challenge Rupert on it. He lied, but it is only a white lie, and maybe he said it just to make me feel better? Perhaps Sadie was upset over Caro – she had had a lot to drink, and she did look as though she might have been crying. Maybe. I couldn’t see too well. Rupert has been nothing but his usual attentive self since the party, and I don’t want to cause a row with him over something that I may simply have read too much into. It wouldn’t be the first time. The first time I asked Harry about his ex-wife, it had ended with me sitting in the dark, alone, nursing my hand where Harry had slammed the door on it. Not that Rupert would behave like that, but it makes a girl wary.

Speaking of causing rows, I twist the ring around on my finger, hiding the small diamond out of sight as I push open the door to the vegan restaurant that Mags has been so keen to try. I was half hoping she would be busy when I texted her to see if she was free for the lunch I had promised her, but she messaged back with an enthusiastic ‘YES’ within seconds of me sending it.

‘Hello, stranger.’ Mags stands from a table in the corner, holding her arms outstretched. I walk into them, breathing in her familiar scent of weed and patchouli. She’s lost weight, her orange hair now dyed bright blue at the tips. I haven’t been back to the flat properly for weeks.

‘Mags.’ I let her squeeze me tight for a moment before gently pushing her away and taking a seat at the table.

‘I thought you were never coming home.’ She smiles, but her voice is laced with an accusatory tone.