‘Yep – it was on Facebook.’

‘A school reunion?’ she asked, trying to not let the panic creep into her voice.

‘No – university.’

‘Oh right, any particular reason?’ The panic subsided and Claire was curious.

‘Well, they were supposed to have it two years ago to celebrate twenty years since we graduated but no one got their arse in gear.’

‘When is it?’

‘Next month – shall we go?’

‘Yep, why not? Could be fun,’ replied Claire distractedly, picking up her phone to check her Facebook notifications for the reunion date. She knew it was more likely that they wouldn’t end up going.

‘God, can you believe it’s been over twenty years? Makes me feel ancient,’ said Chris.

Claire looked up in surprise. It was rare for him to bemoan his age. ‘You’re still gorgeous though,’ she complimented.

‘Your mother thought so too,’ he added with a wink, giving her a peck on the cheek.

Claire laughed. He wasn’t wrong. When her mother had found out she was going out with Chris, she’d been absolutely delighted.

‘Just the type of boy every mother wants for their daughter!’ Claire remembered her announcing. Claire wondered how her mother knew about Chris and questioned her.

‘Everyone knows the Carmichaels, love. Even your father knows the Carmichaels.’ And Claire had understood then. It was about status. About appearances. About connections. In fact, her mother had done everything possible to encourage their relationship, but she needn’t have worried – Chris was smitten. Everyone had told her how lucky she was to have a boyfriend like Chris.

So committed!

So thoughtful!

And for the most part she agreed but, occasionally, she wondered why no one said he was the lucky one.

‘After everything that happened with Paul and the incident,’ her mother had commented one night when she was back home for the Easter holidays in her last year of university, ‘well, it’s a relief he’s so understanding. Didn’t I tell you everything would work out?’

Claire had been surprised; Paul’s name was rarely mentioned since she’d told her mother everything that fateful afternoon. But that holiday, between endless hours preparing for her final university exams, Claire had sensed something was going on. Her mother seemed almost euphoric. A couple of times, she’d heard her mother speaking in a low voice on the phone. It was only when she found a bridal magazine hidden between the sofa cushions that she started to suspect. Was Chris planning to ask her to marry him?

Chris himself was acting perfectly normal although they hadn’t seen much of each other as they were both revising so hard. Later she learnt her suspicions had been correct and after they had both finished their final year exams, Chris took her on holiday to Santorini and presented her with an engagement ring.