‘He’s sorely missed, but I don’t suppose I have to tell you that.’

April was only half-listening. Her interest lay on the other side of the room where Bree topped up glasses to ensure her guests were ready to raise a toast at midnight.

They had spoken earlier, and the hostess had handled April’s surprise arrival with the skill of an accomplished liar. Bree gushed over how well April looked and how much she had been missed before sloping off on the pretext of greeting other guests. The only genuine conversation April had had so far had been with Callum.

‘We’re so glad you’re here,’ he had said.

‘I couldn’t not come,’ April replied, although her arrival had been deliberately late to minimise the time spent mingling before the showstopper. ‘If Jason were alive, he’d be here. No doubt about it.’

Callum rubbed his face. ‘If Jason were alive, April, we wouldn’t be having this party. You know what Bree’s like, she’d rather have a night in with a takeaway than do something like this.’

‘And Jason would have happily joined her,’ she replied. ‘I imagine his death has affected her more than most.’ She wanted to see a flicker of suspicion on Callum’s face, something that might make her feel less alone, but there was nothing.

Callum put a hand on April’s arm and squeezed. ‘I can’t believe you’re thinking of others. We’re fine,’ he said. ‘If anything, it’s made us appreciate what we have more than ever, and we’re determined to make every moment count. Hence the party, although fingers crossed it’s something we’ll be too busy to repeat next year.’

April tilted her head. ‘What do you mean?’

Shifting uncomfortably, Callum turned the bottle in his hand. ‘Too many beers,’ he said. ‘It’s given me a loose tongue.’ When April continued to stare, he added, ‘We’re going to try for a baby, but Bree didn’t want to say anything, especially to you.’

‘Why especially to me?’

‘You know,’ Callum said, looking anywhere except April’s face. ‘It was no secret you and Jay were coming close to that decision too.’

It should have floored April, but instead she gave Callum the biggest hug. She had once been as naïve as he was to think that choice was ever a simple one for either couple.

Their conversation had settled one matter at least: she wouldn’t be dragging Callum into the mess Jason had left behind, not if she could help it. Bree was another matter entirely, and her shrill laughter grew closer as she worked the room, filling glasses and making small talk. She was shorter than April, with an athletic frame that gave the impression she worked out regularly. She didn’t. Bree could give masterclasses on how to pretend to be something you’re not.