‘We’re here,’ Alan said, driving into a multistorey car park and looking for a space. Katie jumped out as soon as they had parked up and started grabbing bags, eager to see Freddy, who was waiting for them in the hotel bar. As they made their way towards the entrance, her dad hesitated and she gave him a reassuring smile. He nodded at her and together they made their way inside. The first person she saw was Freddy, who stood up and ran over to greet her, grabbing her bags. He led her over to the sofas where the others were sitting and she saw Indie giving her father the once over. She braced herself for what might happen next.

Please behave, Indie, she pleaded silently. She adored Freddy’s big sister but she was unpredictable at the best of times. Sophie rushed forward to greet everyone, but Alan hung back, apprehensive. Katie briefly panicked, thinking that this had all been a terrible idea, but then she saw Indie saunter over and kiss her dad on the cheek.

‘Nice to see you, Mr B,’ she said.

Katie felt the breath that she didn’t even know she’d been holding on to leave her body.

Next Jack shook his hand. ‘Hi, Alan, fancy a beer before it all kicks off?’

She looked at Freddy and he grinned back. Perhaps it really would be okay after all.

She woke up the next morning, confused by being in an unfamiliar room before she remembered where she was and who she was with. She turned over to find Freddy sitting up in bed, checking his phone.

As she tried to get up, the hangover hit her. ‘Ouch,’ she said.

Freddy looked down and smiled. ‘Ouch indeed,’ he said. ‘Someone had fun last night!’

‘Oh God, was I terrible?’ She racked her brains, trying to think back over the previous day and whether she’d said or done anything silly.

‘Nah, you were fine,’ he said. ‘I mean, as long as you don’t count loudly informing my dad that he was incredibly generous for forgiving your dad – in front of your dad.’

‘Ohhh,’ Katie said, clutching her head. ‘This is why I should never drink when I’m nervous.’

‘Well, it was your graduation ceremony, so I think you’re allowed. And no harm was done.’

The day had gone as well as it could, she thought, remembering it now. There had been a few awkward silences between the families, a sad moment when they had toasted to absent friends. And then, eventually, a gradual relaxation into the evening which had been made easier, sadly but truly, when her dad had gone up to bed early. After that they had all continued to get plastered in the hotel bar until the early hours and had a bit of a hoot.

‘Question is, are you ready for round two?’

‘Urgh,’ came Katie’s response as she put a pillow over her head.