‘Absolutely,’ Marcus agreed. ‘Got Mum’s looks and Dad’s ambition.’

‘Silly.’ Nella crinkled her eyes at him and then, to my surprise, at me. ‘I bet your guys study hard, don’t they? Melissa’s told me all about them.’

‘Um…’ Glumly, I imagined Zach, currently glued to his PlayStation, alternating Giant Wotsits with a big bag of Skittles. ‘Sometimes, I guess.’

‘Sensible.’ Rex sipped the froth off his beer with an approving nod at Nella. ‘Education is the key to all success, after all.’

‘I thought that was inherited wealth and liposuction.’ Melissa rolled affectionate eyes. ‘But then he never thinks about anything except league tables, do you, honey? Football or school.’

‘That’s not true.’ Rex pursed his mouth. ‘I just care about all my pupils. You know that, don’t you, Ruby?’

‘Er – yes, of course,’ I agreed politely, gazing at the froth on his top lip.

How well I actually knew Rex was debatable though.

Since my own tragedy, Melissa had become a great friend, that was true; my best friend, in fact – but my interaction with Rex was generally limited to school events, or parents’ evenings. Pleasant enough, but I didn’t remember him helping Ali or Zach. Not even when…

‘I want to give them the chance to shine, like Ceci has,’ Rex explained stolidly. ‘Give them chances like yours get at St. Bede’s.’

‘Well, actually—’ Marcus started, but Nella cut across him quickly.

‘Ceci?’

‘Cecilia. Our— Rex’s daughter. And of course you do, honey.’ Melissa patted Rex’s bottom. ‘Of course you care.’

‘A brilliant headteacher must be absolutely focused, surely.’ Nella awarded Rex a charming smile. ‘Goodness, is that the time? I think we’ll have to give up on Lena for tonight.’

Melissa grinned. ‘Well, Lena’s kid’s a challenge at the best of times. Proper whirling dervish. I wouldn’t fancy trying to control him—’

‘Indeed. So shall we get on with it?’ Nella shot her husband a quick look I could neither miss, nor decipher.

‘Your iPad’s in the study, sweetheart, if you want your Pinterest board. So, fancy a quick tour, Rex?’ Marcus tore his eyes from his wife’s face. ‘You’ll want to see that garden studio, mate.’

‘Don’t mind if I do.’ Rex looked chuffed. ‘We might get one, eh, Mel? A mini pub! I could keep my beer tankards out there.’

And why would he not collect beer tankards? Men are such simple creatures, Jonny’s penchant being old ticket stubs from every gig we’d ever gone to. They still lived in a drawer in our bedroom. My bedroom.

‘A pub in our four foot of garden?’ Melissa gave a short laugh and topped up her drink.

‘It’s not four foot.’ Rex stopped whatever he was going to say. ‘How about a mini gym?’ He kissed her forehead. ‘Help you keep trim, babe.’

‘Ah, hon, have a bar,’ Melissa soothed. ‘I get enough gym at work.’

Odd really, it had never crossed my mind before – how seldom I’d actually seen Melissa with her husband.