An anchovy hung perilously from the end of the tines as Allison stopped with her fork halfway to her mouth. She put it down and nodded. ‘I think you have something there. Hazel struck me as the ambitious type, and I noticed the way she looked around my office as if assessing the size and suitability.’ She speared the anchovy more securely and put it into her mouth, chewing slowly as she thought. It made sense. She’d known from the beginning that Hazel was a woman to watch. Looks like she’d have to be more careful.

Maybe more careful with her new acquaintance too. Allison seemed to have been doing all the talking. ‘It must be nice working in a school.’

Jo tilted her head from side to side. ‘I love it, but the salary isn’t great, and the workload is longer than the hours I’m paid for. Ethan keeps telling me I should quit and get something easier.’ She finished the last of her salad, put the cutlery down and sat back with the glass in her hand. ‘Perhaps I should have done when Sam was younger, but now he’s gone to university, I’d just be rattling around the house on my own. Ethan works long hours.’

‘Like Peter! Another thing we have in common.’

‘We’ll have to get our husbands together some day; sounds like they’re two of a kind.’ Jo checked her watch. ‘I’m going to have to get going, I’m afraid.’

Allison looked at the time on her phone. ‘Goodness, where have those two hours gone! Yes, I’d better get going too. I’ve things to do before getting home to make myself look like the woman Peter married only a few months ago.’

‘Wait till you’re married twenty years like me!’

Allison laughed as she turned to scan the restaurant for the waiter, raising a hand when she caught his eyes, writing in the air as she mouthed, Bill, please.

‘This is on me,’ Jo said. ‘It was my idea after all.’

Allison shook her head. ‘My city, my restaurant choice, so I insist on paying. When I come to Swindon, you can treat me.’ She handed her credit card to the waiter, adding a generous tip to the final figure. ‘Great, thank you,’ she said, taking the receipt and tucking it into her purse with the card.

They gathered their belongings. ‘That was an enjoyable lunch,’ Allison said as they walked from the restaurant.

Jo was looking around, her eyes puzzled. ‘I’ve to get to Charing Cross station. I thought I knew which way to go but now, I’m not sure.’

Allison checked her watch. ‘I’ll walk there with you; I’ve time to spare.’