‘Yeah, sorry about that.’ Lena sounded utterly unapologetic. ‘Heathy was so clingy, I didn’t dare risk the sitter with Ish stuck at work.’

‘Lena has her own little PR biz, don’t you, darling? We’re depending on her to advertise the party!’ Nella cocked her head. ‘I thought Ishaan had given up working?’

‘Ha ha.’ Lena’s laugh was very bright. ‘Ish not working – are you joking me? No, he’s just got full on into the green activism now, even more – actively. He’s running GoGreen at the moment. I’d better get on, darl, sort my files for today’s meeting. See you at four, yeah?’ Her smile showed big white teeth. ‘Good to meet you, Rudi.’

Grabbing a custard tart from the plate, she gulped it in one go before jogging out of the café with a wave, her body strong and supple.

‘What’s at four?’ I asked.

‘Planning meeting at Pat’s stinky old vicarage.’

‘Nella! Sit, my darling.’ Marcus stood, ushering his wife towards his now empty chair. ‘I’ve filled Ruby in on Willow.’

‘No please, have my seat, Nella.’ I’d finally managed to free my bag now. ‘I really ought to make a move too.’

‘Filled her in?’ Nella gazed at her husband for a moment. ‘You’re such a sweetie, Rudi!’ She swivelled her gaze towards me. ‘Offering to help.’

Had I offered though? Or just been co-opted?

‘Indeed.’ Marcus sighed. ‘I was just explaining it’s not always easy.’

‘Well, Rudi knows that already, don’t you? I mean all mums know that – but really, our own kids are always angels to us, aren’t they? And I mean, Willow is. Absolutely. Most of the time.’

‘Sure.’ I pushed my chair back as the waitress brought Nella’s coffee.

‘You star, Dores!’ Nella took it. ‘Thank you so much.’

The young woman turned away with a nod. Last night’s strange sibilant warning resonated.

‘I’m just going to get a box of these beauties.’ Marcus delved in his pocket for money. ‘Weekend incentive for Willow’s revision.’ Twenty-pound notes fell everywhere; a couple of fifties fluttered down. ‘You girls catch up.’

Please don’t go, I prayed, filled with sudden panic. But too late, he was already at the counter shooting the breeze with the young quiffed lad, while the pretty waitress flirted with an older man.

‘Actually, I’m so pleased to see you.’ Nella finally sat, so at least I wasn’t on a level with her crotch. ‘I wanted to ask you something else, Rudi.’

‘Ruby!’ My feet tingled with irritation. ‘As in Ruby Red or Ruby Tuesday or – any Ruby really.’

‘As in the jewel? Lovely. So, look, as Lena said, Ruby, we’re meeting later at Pat Vicarage’s to divvy up the stalls. And also I want to extend an invite to come camping!’ Nella said it like she’d discovered the meaning of life. ‘We go to the forest in Sussex every year. Slumming it, getting back to nature, you know. We’d love it if you came too – all the more time for party planning!’