‘I know,’ she giggled, ‘I’m only teasing. I wonder who’ll be next,’ she then beamed, with a blatant look in Ned’s direction.

I couldn’t bring myself to answer and looked away as her gaze swung back to me.

‘Where did you find fizz at such short notice?’ Michael asked, thankfully deflecting her train of thought.

‘Yes,’ said Noah, handing me a glass, before passing another to Michael and picking up one for himself. ‘I didn’t arrange this.’

‘I did,’ said Abbie, who came to join us. ‘I just knew Michael was going to say yes, so I couldn’t resist making sure we had something other than mulled cider to toast you both with. Not that the cider isn’t delicious,’ she added, winking at Maya who was pouting again.

‘You,’ said Noah, stooping to kiss Abbie’s flushed face, ‘are a total sweetheart.’

‘I know,’ she said, looking a little misty eyed. ‘It’s why you love me. Although, apparently, you love Michael more.’

‘Afraid I do,’ said Noah, reaching for Michael’s hand and kissing the back of it. ‘I would have asked you instead Abbie, but with you wanting all those babies, I thought I’d better stick to my man here. He doesn’t want offspring either. Do you?’

‘No,’ laughed Michael. ‘Don’t panic, Noah. I’m not going to change my mind about that.’

‘In that case,’ said Abbie, raising her glass, ‘cheers to you both.’

‘Cheers!’ Maya and I joined in, but I didn’t drain my flute as the others did. I needed a clear head and no more alcohol flowing through my system for what I had in mind to do next.

It didn’t take long for everyone to start dancing again and as they were all so absorbed in having a good time, I was finally able to slip out unnoticed. My path across the yard back to the lodge caused the floodlights to come on, but I didn’t look back until I reached the veranda. Thankfully, no one had followed me out.

‘Come on then,’ I said, letting Bandit out of his sanctuary in the utility room. Ned would have heard his barking between songs, and the dog wouldn’t stop now he knew someone was in the house. ‘You can come upstairs with me, but you have to be quiet and promise not to tell anyone.’

The daft dog cocked his head to one side and I bent to give him a hug, instantly dissolving into tears the moment my fingers buried into his thick warm coat.

‘I’m going to miss you pooch,’ I told him, once I was all cried out and having wasted precious minutes. Not that I expected the party to end anytime soon, but I had things to do.