Of course, if she went ahead with it there would be some collateral damage and she did feel really bad about that, but that was life. People always got hurt. She knew that more than anyone. She felt like a coiled spring. Tonight was the night when the shit was going to hit the fan. Big time. And she was ready for it.

Angie and Indie entered the kitchen looking like some sort of supermodel dream team. Sophie felt instantly inferior, despite her earlier confidence. They were both wearing little black dresses, which showed off their long legs, their hair loose and curled, and long gold chains around their necks. Sophie braced herself as Angie came over and hugged her.

‘Sophie, it’s good to see you. I’m so sorry I’ve been useless recently. I’ve just been absolutely snowed under; I don’t know where the days go. But it’s inexcusable.’

Sophie hugged Angie back. ‘No worries,’ she replied, ‘I completely understand.’

She felt like they were both lying to each other.

Angie stood back and looked her up and down. ‘You look absolutely gorgeous, Sophie! Have you changed your hair?’

‘Yes, a few weeks ago.’ Sophie couldn’t help feeling delighted that Angie had noticed.

‘It really suits you, and that dress is beautiful!’ Angie smiled at her again before moving away to greet Alan and then picking up the champagne that Jack had poured for her.

‘Cheers,’ she said brightly, raising her glass and they all clinked glasses, including Indie who was clutching a champagne flute filled with lemonade. Sophie caught her eye and the teenager stared back at her. Was it just her or was Indie looking at her a little strangely? Feeling uncomfortable, Sophie looked away. When she glanced back, Indie was smiling sweetly.

‘Mummy says I can stay up until midnight,’ she announced.

‘Of course, darling, you’re thirteen now,’ Angie said, putting her arm around her daughter.

‘Old enough for some champagne?’ Indie asked hopefully.

‘Nice try,’ Jack replied. ‘But you know the answer’s no.’

Indie sighed theatrically and drifted off to see what her older brother was up to.

Sophie looked at Angie. ‘How are things?’ she asked.

‘Oh fine, nothing to report,’ Angie said. ‘But never mind me, tell me about you. I’m dying to hear about your swimming course.’

Sophie started filling Angie in on her training and her new job, hesitantly at first and then more enthusiastically as she relaxed. Despite what had happened over the last few months, she remembered how lovely it was to be in Angie’s company and how much she’d missed it. I might as well make the most of tonight, she thought. I doubt it will happen again.

Within a couple of hours, they were both in fits of laughter at Alan and Jack’s attempts to dance to ‘Gangnam Style’. Ellie, Freddy, Tom and Katie, who had been determined to stay up late, had completely exhausted themselves by nine thirty. They took a child each, carrying them up the stairs like they were babies and settling them into their beds before heading back downstairs to continue their party.