‘I was seventeen – a bit of a late bloomer really. His name was Callum Brody and I’d known him since primary school. It’s funny how you always remember the full names of people from your childhood, isn’t it? Anyway, we went out for two years and then I moved away to go to journalism college and we drifted apart. I’m still friends with him on Facebook, though.’

‘Do you ever think he’s the one that got away?’ Angie asked teasingly.

‘Erm, no. Let’s just say time hasn’t been kind to him from the looks of his profile picture.’

Angie, absorbed in the conversation, admitted: ‘I thought Jack was the one that got away.’

‘How do you mean?’

‘Well, I was mad about him from the minute I met him, back when we were students, but I refused to admit it to him or to myself. I thought that it would be unrequited love. And in any case, he was what can only be described as a Lothario back then. So I started going out with a different boy instead and tried to forget all about him. After we graduated, I thought about him from time to time and wondered if things would have been different if I’d told him how I felt.’

‘Wow! Do you think it was fate that brought you together then, all those years later?’

‘I don’t really believe in fate. Just sheer bloody coincidence I’d say.’

‘And look at you now! Happily married with four amazing children. I’d call that fate.’

Angie smiled, enjoying seeing her marriage through the eyes of her neighbour. ‘Yes,’ she agreed. ‘Maybe you’re right. Anyway, enough talk about boys, we’ve got an Easter party to get ready. Where’s that cake stand?’

12

Sophie stretched back on the sun lounger and sighed happily. She was in heaven. Why hadn’t they gone on holiday with friends before? The children were having so much fun together that she’d actually had time to read an entire book and sunbathe without constant interruptions: declarations of boredom, tiredness or hunger. It was bliss. She looked up as Jack emerged from the villa, carrying a bottle of beer in each hand. The glass was so cold that she could see the condensation running down it and her mouth watered in anticipation of the first taste.

Behind the protection of her sunglasses, she took the opportunity to have a sneaky glance at Jack. It was of little surprise that he looked ridiculously attractive in swimming trunks, paired with designer aviator shades, and she relished the view for a moment.

‘Beer?’ he asked, offering one to her.

‘Yes please,’ she said, sitting up to take the bottle from him and feeling immediately self-conscious in her swimming costume in such proximity to Jack. She knew she didn’t have a bad figure but compared to Angie she still felt like a frump.

‘Where are Angie and Alan?’ she asked.

‘They’ve gone to the supermarket to stock up on beer and snacks.’