‘Sorry. But you have to admit she deserved it.’

Jennifer turns on her heel and strides away. She sweeps her bag off the back of a chair and exits the room. After a decent interval, Cassie’s boyfriend puts an arm around her and leads her away. Hopefully Cassie has now got the message and is going home.

Toby and Nick never made it over to them. I think they’ve come to the conclusion that they’re no longer needed. I bet they’re relieved. I notice that Nick seems to have lost quite a bit of weight. His suit is hanging off him and his cheeks are hollow. I hope he’s okay. Maybe he had that bug that Madeline was talking about a few weeks ago.

Toby’s gaze lands on me, and he mouths to ask if I’m all right. I nod and we both roll our eyes and shake our heads at the close call.

‘I still think it would’ve been great if Jen had punched her,’ Becky muses.

‘You’re such a troublemaker,’ I retort.

‘I’m not the troublemaker,’ she quips.

‘Well, I for one am glad there isn’t going to be a fist fight at our ten-year wedding anniversary, that I’ve spent weeks organising, thank you very much.’

‘The night’s still young.’ Becky laughs and Sam elbows her in the side to be quiet, although he’s also trying not to laugh.

I cross my arms on the table and sink down over them. ‘It’s not even nine o’clock yet and my nerves are shredded.’

‘Aw, babe. Don’t worry about it. Looks like they’ve both gone now.’ Becky stands and pulls me to my feet. ‘Knock back your drink and let’s dance. I love this song.’

I do as she suggests and the two of us totter onto the dance floor where we’re instantly joined by a raucous posse of my other friends, some from the salon, others from my schooldays, as well as a group of school mums. Everyone’s really made the effort to dress up, and we pull out all our cheesiest dance moves.

Toby comes up behind me, slipping his arms around my waist. I turn around and my stomach flips at how handsome he looks in his suit. ‘Having fun?’ he murmurs in my ear.

‘I am now that Fight Club’s been averted. Did you see the look on Jennifer’s face?’

‘I did. Nick and I were terrified. Thought we’d have to intervene. We didn’t fancy our chances against either of them.’

I give him a playful push. ‘Don’t even joke about it.’

The smile slides off his face. ‘Okay, stay calm, but I think Cassie and Whatshisface might be coming over.’

My stomach gives a flutter of dread. ‘What?! I thought they’d gone home.’

‘Apparently not. Want me to head them off and ask them to leave?’