She had appeared behind Nick, wearing a peacock blue wrap-over dress. Her hair fell loosely on her shoulders and despite her jibe, she appeared relaxed. She was happy, and that happiness shone when Nick’s hand followed the curve of her hips. His lips glanced briefly off hers as he slipped past.

‘Have fun, ladies,’ he said, smiling confidently as he left the room.

The display of affection did nothing to warm Tara’s feelings for Nick. She wished she could like him again, but the last group meeting had served only to prove how adept he was at getting out of tricky situations. She had secretly hoped that the group would reject him, but having stayed around to hear members’ views, she had been surprised how many had admired Nick for having the courage to stand up and admit his past failings.

‘Right, who’s ready for a drink?’

‘I’m driving,’ April said as she looked longingly at the bottle Faith had picked up from the table.

‘I’d love one,’ replied Tara. ‘Is there anything I can do?’

Faith followed her gaze to the discarded plates, pots, and knives scattered across almost every work surface. There was a large focaccia smothered in garlic butter and pricked with rosemary waiting to be baked, and judging from the dusting of flour and discarded herbs on a chopping board, it was homemade.

‘God, he has left a mess, hasn’t he?’

‘Nick made dinner?’ asked April.

Still holding the wine bottle, Faith edged towards the range cooker as if approaching an open furnace. ‘He certainly did. The lasagne’s on a timer apparently and there’s a salad prepped in the fridge.’ She pulled a face as they heard the front door slam. ‘Does anyone know how long the bread needs?’

Tara grabbed a discarded apron lying on the counter and rolled up her sleeves. ‘Right, Faith. You sort out the drinks and I’ll do the rest. Make mine a large one.’

‘You don’t have to,’ Faith said, already on the retreat back to the table.

‘Honestly, I’ll feel better once I see those counters gleaming.’

‘What should I do?’ asked April.

‘There’s some elderflower pressé chilling in the fridge if you’d like something cold,’ Faith suggested as she snuggled amongst the scattering of cushions. When April returned after pouring her own drink, Faith handed her a glass of wine. ‘Can you pass this to Tara for me?’

April did as she was instructed and remained with Tara. ‘Don’t you like cooking, Faith?’ she asked as she began filling the dishwasher.

‘I fell out of the habit,’ she called over. ‘And if I’m being perfectly honest, I used to hire caterers for the big dinner parties Derek and I held. I would have ordered something in from Marks and Sparks, but Nick insisted on helping. See, he does have his uses.’