‘What the…?’ Alan spluttered as Tom and Katie launched themselves at him full pelt. Then he spotted Sophie and let out a low whistle.

‘Wow, looking good there, Mrs B,’ he said. She grinned and spun around in a little circle.

‘Stunning,’ he said, looking at her in admiration. ‘Right, I’d better up my game.’

He stood up and climbed the stairs, emerging twenty minutes later wearing his best shirt and a smart pair of jeans. She could smell the aftershave on him. This was a big effort for Alan and she wolf-whistled at him. ‘Looking mighty fine there, Al.’

‘I can’t let the side down, not with you looking like that,’ he told Sophie, and then glanced at his watch. ‘Right, we’d better be off.’

They let themselves out of the back door and through the gate into Angie and Jack’s garden. Tom and Katie ran on ahead, desperate to go inside and see their friends after a forced separation over Christmas, but Alan paused and turned to Sophie.

‘I love you, Soph, you’re something special.’

She gave him a quick kiss. ‘You’re not too bad yourself.’

Inside the party was already in full flow. Ellie had got a karaoke machine for Christmas and Jack was singing ‘Living on a Prayer’ at the top of his voice.

‘Brennans!’ he shouted with delight when he saw them, coming over to shake Alan’s hand effusively and give Sophie a hug. ‘Happy Christmas and all that.’

‘Where’s Angie?’ Sophie asked.

‘Upstairs getting ready, she’ll be down in a minute. Alan mate, what’s your tune?’

Jack and Alan commandeered the karaoke machine again and Sophie went upstairs to find Angie. As she knocked softly on the bedroom door it opened slightly and she saw Angie inside, looking ridiculously beautiful in a long red dress, her dark hair loose around her.

She turned and clasped her hands together in delight when she saw Sophie. ‘You look incredible, I knew that dress would suit you,’ she said.

‘I’m mortified,’ Sophie told her. ‘It must have cost a fortune. My present to you was rubbish in comparison.’

‘Nonsense,’ Angie insisted, ‘I love that candle.’

‘I brought you some champagne,’ Sophie said, handing a glass over to Angie, who took it gratefully and clinked glasses with Sophie.

‘To a new year,’ she said.

‘To friendships,’ Sophie replied and they both took a sip.

‘How was your Christmas?’ Angie asked.

‘Lovely. The usual eating too much chocolate, playing board games and watching the Strictly Christmas Special. How about you?’

‘Fabulous. It’s always a hoot when we spend Christmas with Jack’s family. They managed to get four of the five siblings together – one’s in Australia – and there were twelve children all together. Jack’s mum put on this vast spread. I don’t know how she did it. The children were in heaven: they love their older cousins. I don’t think they wanted to come home.’

‘Muuuuuum, I need a lift to Amber’s house! Now!’ came a shout from downstairs.