‘My God, Nikki sounds like an evil bitch,’ said Bella. ‘She has to be soooo jealous of you.’

‘Let’s not forget Mark,’ said Andy.

They climbed the rickety steps to Bella’s flat. Inside, it was welcoming and homely, crammed to the rafters with books, paintings, flowers, cushions, mirrors and rugs – all quite clearly Bella’s style. In one corner, a laptop sat on an old-fashioned writing desk, messy with papers and reference books. Quite clearly, Andy’s workstation.

Bella lit some lamps and a couple of candles before turning off the overhead light.

‘That’s better, isn’t it?’ She smiled. ‘Much more cosy. Could you put on some music, darling? I’ll get us some drinks. What would you like, Sam?’

‘Oh, I don’t mind. Whatever you’re having would be great. Thanks.’

‘White wine it is then!’

Bella padded, barefoot, into her tiny kitchen. She was wearing a halterneck maxidress in the palest of pale pink cotton, with broderie anglaise trim around the neckline and hem. Her long dark hair fell in tousled waves around her smooth brown shoulders and her tanned cleavage looked maternal and inviting. Neither skinny nor plump, Sam thought that Bella looked like some sort of lovely hippy earth mother, radiating happiness. She felt happier herself already, just being around her.

Andy had put something that sounded like classical Spanish guitar music on the CD player. It suited the hot night air. In fact, it was so hot, even with all the windows open, that he had to unearth an ancient electric fan from a cupboard somewhere. With its intermittent cool wafts, the heat was just about bearable.

Bella returned with a bottle of white wine and three glasses.

‘Better drink it quickly, before it gets too warm,’ she said, laughing.

‘Don’t you just love her logic?’ Andy said to Sam, laughing too.

‘Right, so first things first,’ said Bella, once they were settled on cushions on the floor, with their drinks. It really was a tiny flat. But it was lovely, with the candlelight and paintings and books and flowers. ‘If it’s true – and I’m afraid it does sound like it is – are there any circumstances under which you’d take Mark back?’

Sam shook her head violently. ‘No. No way. It makes me feel physically sick to think of them together.’

‘Yes, I can understand that,’ said Andy, and Bella just knew he was thinking about her and Mark together. God, we’re an incestuous bunch.

‘OK, so if no amount of fulsome grovelling is going to change your mind, we have to concentrate on making you feel better,’ she said. ‘For what it’s worth, I think Mark is going to be sorrier than he’s ever been to have fucked things up with you. As far as I can see, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him.’

‘Hear hear,’ said Andy, smiling at Sam through his rectangular specs.

They finished the first bottle of wine in no time. After the second, Bella said, ‘Are you ready for the first course yet? I’m absolutely starving!’