‘You look fantastic,’ Angie said. ‘You haven’t aged a day in ten years.’

Sophie couldn’t stop herself from glowing with pleasure at the compliment. She’d been swimming almost daily for years and was now a highly regarded coach in the region. She looked after herself well and she had gained confidence as she aged. Now she was fifty she was probably in better health, both physically and mentally, than she was in her twenties.

‘Thanks,’ she said. She knew she should say something nice in return but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. The more she looked at Angie, the more she was certain that something wasn’t quite right. According to Freddy she was on great form, working less, looking after herself more, but his description didn’t match the woman sitting opposite her.

‘Are you okay, Angie?’

‘Shouldn’t I be asking you that?’

‘Maybe, but nothing about this is conventional, is it?’

‘I’m okay,’ Angie replied dismissively, ‘I’ve just been a bit under the weather.’

‘Okay.’ Sophie shrugged. The silence returned.

‘So, how are you?’

‘I’m good,’ Sophie replied. ‘We live in Cambridge now, I’m still a swimming instructor. Alan still works in property. Tom’s at uni in Manchester and, well, you know about Katie.’

Angie nodded. ‘I hear she’s a wonderful girl but I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting her yet.’

‘How did you and Jack feel when you found out?’ Sophie asked.

‘We laughed hysterically for about half an hour and then got pissed as farts.’

Sophie looked at her in surprise. ‘Really?’

‘Really.’

‘Are you and Jack, you know, still friends?’

Angie smiled. ‘Yes, actually, we are. At first, we forced it for the sake of the children but over time it became easier. Now I can’t believe we were ever married to be honest. He’s remarried you know, I’m sure Katie told you, some woman half his age but she makes him happy.’

‘And you?’

‘Oh there were romances, here and there, nothing that stuck.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

‘Don’t be.’

She’s still the same old Angie, Sophie thought, as brusque as you like. She sipped her tea.

‘How did you and Alan feel? When Katie told you about Freddy?’

‘We were shocked at first. Alan was quite upset. It just dredged up so much stuff from the past, you know? I tried to be supportive for Katie but it was far from ideal. We had to tell Tom, which was a disaster. After a while I got used to the idea. Freddy is a wonderful boy, such a credit to you and Jack. I’m very fond of him now. Alan’s still not got his head around it yet.’

‘It’s quite the coincidence, them ending up at the same university and getting together.’

‘Tell me about it.’

The two women smiled tentatively at each other. It was weird, Sophie thought, she didn’t feel as angry as she had thought she would. It felt almost companionable, sitting here, talking to Angie. She hadn’t been expecting that at all.