‘I’m sorry,’ Freddy said. ‘I’m sorry for blurting it out like this, and for any bad memories or hurt that it’s bringing back, I really am. But I’m not sorry that I’ve met her. She’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love her.’

You could have heard a pin drop. Indie glanced around the table. Most of her family were still staring at Freddy in shock. Chrissie and What’s-her-face were looking confused and slightly pissed off about being in the dark about something so important. Bianca was still scrolling on her phone. Poor Freddy looked like a stubborn, petrified little boy. How on earth do we get past this?

But this was exactly why she had come back to her family now. To make up for what she did all those years ago, to have her brother’s back when he needed her. She took a deep breath.

‘Well, I for one can’t wait for the wedding.’

Everyone’s eyes turned to her and she looked defiantly back. She had achieved exactly what she wanted, to turn the attention away from Freddy onto her. Trust Indie to say the most inappropriate thing possible, to make the situation worse, they were thinking.

She waited for her mum to turn on her and start having a go, or for her dad to shake his head and say that he was disappointed in her. Then she heard a muffled snort and turned to see Ellie, desperately trying to suppress her giggles. Next came Benji, although he wasn’t so subtle as he started guffawing loudly. Then Freddy joined in, a laughter that she suspected was more nerves than amusement.

Jack was staring at his children in bemusement. Then, as if powerless to stop himself, he started chuckling, quietly at first but getting louder and louder as he became infected by everyone else’s laughter. Finally, Indie looked at Angie, who had found something very fascinating in her glass of champagne.

‘Mum?’ she asked, tentatively.

Angie looked up. She had tears running down her face, but her expression wasn’t one of sorrow.

‘Jesus Christ, Indie,’ she said, between sobs of laughter.

Their mother’s reaction was the cue they had all been waiting for and the table erupted. Benji was doubled over. Ellie was clutching onto Chrissie, trying to explain it all to her but unable to speak coherently. Jack was leaning back in his chair, eyes closed, howling. Then poor Freddy laughed so hard that he fell off his chair and it was game over. They all lost their marbles.

‘So, love, how has the first term gone for you?’

Katie was sitting in the living room with her parents, nursing a cup of tea. Tom had disappeared out to the pub as soon as they’d finished eating.

‘It’s been amazing,’ she said, smiling despite her nerves. ‘It’s such a special place and I’m loving my course.’

‘That’s wonderful,’ Sophie said, beaming at her.