‘Sorry… I just… I was staying at Rupert’s.’ I duck my head, letting my hair fall over my face as a blush scorches my cheeks, and I pick up a menu, pretending to read it. I know I’ve neglected Mags, been a terrible friend, but I’ve just been so caught up in the excitement of a new relationship, in the idea of no longer being on my own.

‘Yeah, I gathered that, you dirty stop-out,’ Mags snorts, deftly rolling a joint and spilling flakes of tobacco over the table. ‘So, things are going well then?’ Her voice softens and I think that perhaps she isn’t going to give me a hard time over abandoning her after all.

‘Really, really well.’ I paste on a smile. Things are going well, I tell myself, trying not to think of the shadows over my shoulder. I shove the image of Rupert and Sadie stood close together to the back of my mind.

‘Right, well, that’s good then,’ Mags pauses for a moment. ‘It’s been quiet without you. A bit boring, actually. I always thought you were just a pain in the arse, but it turns out it’s quite shit living on your own.’ She gives a sharp huff of laughter, and blinks rapidly before she picks up the menu, picking at the peeling laminate on the corner.

I say nothing, trying to choose my words carefully. Anxiety makes my stomach clench at what I have to tell her, at how she will react to my news. ‘Actually, I have something to tell you.’

‘Oh?’ She drops the menu now and fixes her gaze on me. ‘What? Although I think I already have a good idea.’

‘You do?’ I don’t know whether to feel relieved or not.

‘You’re going to move in with him, aren’t you?’

‘Well… seeing as he asked me to marry him and I said yes, then that does seem to be the next logical step.’ I try and fail to stop the smile from spreading across my face, but it soon fades when Mags opens her mouth to speak.

‘Are you fucking kidding me?’

‘Mags…’

‘No, seriously, Emily, is this a fucking joke?’ A harsh bark of laughter escapes her lips, as she folds her arms across her chest.

‘No, it’s not a fucking joke.’ A hot bubble of anger bursts in my chest. ‘Really, Mags? This is how you’re going to react? Believe it or not, I am happy to be engaged to Rupert, and I thought you of all people would be pleased that I’m moving on with my life after Harry.’

‘Harry is exactly my point!’ Mags bursts out. ‘Have you forgotten everything I’ve done for you?’