‘I don’t know that you ever get over it,’ Steve was saying to a comment Nick had made, although April wasn’t sure what it had been. The chatter from the group had floated over her head for the last five minutes, possibly longer.

I know how you get over it, April imagined herself saying. You discover the person who wrenched your heart from your chest wasn’t the person you thought they were. You realise that all that time you were loving them, you should have been hating them. You question whether the future you thought you had lost was ever yours.

‘But it does get easier,’ Jodie said with a smile that grew broader as the group waited for the news she clearly wanted to share. ‘I’ve been on a date. Two actually. I’ve finally reached the point where I don’t want to be celibate for the rest of my life. And OK, it was nice thinking that the last person to kiss these lips was Ryan, but I have to get past that.’

‘And you did by the sounds of it,’ Faith said.

Jodie nodded. ‘It was only a kiss, mind.’

April’s pulse raced. ‘Did it make you feel better?’

Jodie scrunched her nose. ‘There was a brief moment of relief followed by all kinds of guilt –and not only because I knew I’d just let go of another piece of Ryan. The truth is, I didn’t particularly like this bloke. He was a means to an end.’

‘It broke the spell,’ Faith said, glancing towards April, who blushed as if her friend had read her thoughts.

There was more chatter that faded in and out of April’s consciousness and she didn’t realise the meeting was over until Tara stood and touched her shoulder. ‘Let’s have a cuppa and a piece of cake before we leave,’ she said.

By the time Tara had pushed a plate into April’s hand, Faith and Nick had joined them. ‘I was about to get our coffees,’ Tara said. ‘Do you want anything?’

‘I’ll help,’ Faith said, tugging Tara away from their little group and leaving April with Nick.

‘How are—’ April began.

‘The cake looks—’ Nick said at the same time. ‘Sorry, you first.’

‘I was wondering how you were settling in.’

‘It’s been so much easier than I was expecting. How about you?’

April pushed the cake around her plate. ‘It’s weird. I don’t know half the people here, but at the same time, I know them so well. I’m pretty sure I’ve made friends for life.’

‘And it’s good that we can do things outside of the group too. Are you going to the Christmas party?’

April’s chin was pressed against her chest. ‘I still don’t know if I’m ready.’

‘Rubbish, I can’t be the only newbie there. Please say you’ll come.’