Geoffrey had mentioned that he’d seen several different types of mushrooms on his walks, some of which he believed were edible. Derek said he doubted a guy who operated a garden services company was qualified to distinguish edible fungi from inedible. Geoffrey didn’t respond, having long ago learned to ignore Derek’s assumed authority on all things.

“See you later then,” he said, getting to his feet and heading towards the river.

As he walked down the track, Geoffrey thought about his friends and the entangled lives they led. People from outside the group often commented on how wonderful it was they had been friends for so long. Michelle, Diane and Derek had known one another almost all their lives and, while the others had been drawn in by one of the three at different times, they’d all been connected for nearly twenty-five years. It was, he thought, mostly good, but sometimes it seemed not entirely healthy.

There was something about having the same friends for so long that blurred the boundaries. It was akin to being part of a family, which sometimes meant having to tolerate people even if you didn’t really like them. Just like you didn’t call out an uncle for an inappropriate remark because you didn’t want to upset his sister—that is, your mother—being part of a tight group of friends made it difficult to call someone out without treading on collective toes.

In theory, being alone with Derek, as they had been since the previous morning, was the ideal time for Geoffrey to challenge the man. He could’ve told him how annoying his jibes about his business were, asked him to use his proper name and told him to stay away from Clare. Faye wasn’t around to be embarrassed and Michelle wasn’t there to feel protective towards the man she’d known since she was six or seven years old.

Derek and Michelle had a complicated relationship that seemed to be something apart from the rest of the group, and sometimes defied reason. Geoffrey asked her about it once as they were driving home after meeting their friends at a restaurant to celebrate Bruce’s fortieth birthday.

“I know you and Derek were an item for a while at varsity and it doesn’t bother me, but I am curious about why you broke up?”

She looked at him, surprised by the question. “Pfft. I don’t remember the specifics but we decided we made better friends than, erm, romantic partners.”

“Fair enough.”

“What makes you ask after all these years?”

“It occurred to me tonight that you’re the only one among us who is immune to his digs. Actually, it’s not even that you’re immune; more that he doesn’t try and taunt you at all.”

“Really? I hadn’t thought about it.”

Geoffrey gave a disbelieving snort. “What’s your secret?”