‘We had waffles for dinner and we ate them in front of the telly!’ Tom said triumphantly. ‘And Ellie and Freddy said that we can come and play any time!’

‘Lucky you,’ said Alan. He turned to Sophie. ‘And did Angie say that you could come and play any time too?’

Sophie gave him a withering look and then said, ‘She’s actually really nice though.’

‘You seem surprised.’

‘I am a bit. It’s not that I didn’t like her, it’s just that she’s never seemed particularly interested in making friends before. But she couldn’t have been more lovely this afternoon. Still though, Al, you should see their place, it’s incredible. And she was telling me about her job, she represents some really high-profile clients. I couldn’t help but feel a bit plain Jane.’

‘You, my love, are anything but plain.’

‘Aw, thanks. Anyway, I’m not saying we’re going to become bosom buddies or anything, but I definitely think neighbourly relations have warmed up a notch. And she’s feeling a bit lonely, so I’ve invited them all over for the Easter party.’

‘Good for you.’

‘What do you think of Jack?’

‘Hardly know the guy.’

Alan was the least satisfying person to gossip with she’d ever known.

‘Well, let’s see if they turn up anyway,’ Sophie said, as she opened the fridge and started rooting around for vegetables to prepare their dinner. ‘At least I’ve done my bit.’

5

Sophie was yanking a dozen anaemic cupcakes out of the oven and fervently wishing that she’d just bought some from the supermarket like she normally did, when the doorbell rang. ‘Can you get that, Alan?’ she called, but there was no response. Cursing, she dashed to the door, brushing flour off her clothes, and found Angie, Jack, Ellie and Freddy on the doorstep.

‘Hi, come in!’ she said with false bravado.

‘Are you okay? Sorry we’re a bit early,’ Angie said, frowning as she took in Sophie’s flustered expression and dishevelled appearance.

‘No, no, you’re fine, I’m just in baking hell,’ Sophie admitted as she ushered them in. ‘The kids are upstairs playing computer games,’ she told Ellie and Freddy, who immediately started to make their way up the stairs. Angie and Jack followed her into the kitchen.

‘Alan’s somewhere but I have no idea where – probably playing games with the children,’ Sophie explained. ‘He always makes a hasty exit when I attempt to bake.’

Angie examined the carnage, observing the production line of cupcakes in various states of disarray and rolled up her sleeves. ‘Jack, you get the beers, Sophie, you get the icing.’

Sophie imagined this was exactly how Angie dealt with her wayward clients, but she obediently opened the cupboard to look for icing. Jack grabbed four beers, left two on the kitchen surface for Angie and Sophie and headed off in the same direction as the children.

‘Sorry we’re early,’ Angie said again, as she started decorating a batch of cupcakes. ‘I know it’s annoying when people turn up before they’re expected, but we’d just got back from dropping Indie and Benji off at their friends’ houses and we thought we might as well come straight over. Ellie and Freddy were so excited about the party, they were driving us potty.’