Hugh sat up a little higher in his chair, if that was even possible given his ramrod-straight back. “Diana, how lovely to see you again.”

“Hey, Mr Whitmore. Thanks for inviting me to stay for dinner.”

“Not at all, any time. A friend of Matt’s is a friend of ours.”

Helen wanted to cringe at his formalities – and even more childishly point out it was her idea to invite Diana to stay.

Instead, Helen said, “Please help yourself, Diana. Cottage pie, salad, French bread. Mills, the earphones out please.” Mills sighed, but put the phone face down on the table and removed the earphones, tossing them casually next to the phone.

Diana sat in the chair next to Helen and facing Mills, then looked scathingly at the food on the table. “Just salad for me, thank you. I’m vegetarian.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I had no idea,” Helen said awkwardly.

“Why would you? It’s not like we’ve met before.” Diana’s eyes glinted at Helen, unblinking, and she held her stare for a moment longer than was comfortable before turning away and reaching for the salad bowl.

Helen inspected her hands, feeling foolish and chastised in equal measure.

Mills watched Diana, her eyes narrowed, then reached for the cottage pie and dished up a large helping, more than she would normally eat, before smothering it with HP Sauce. Helen’s heart swelled. Diana took no notice of Mills.

Lydia was taking notice though and dished up only salad for herself too.

“Lydia, would you like some cottage pie? It’s usually one of your favourites. The brown sauce is there too,” Helen said.

Lydia flushed a deep red and said, “No thanks, I’m trying to eat healthily, less red meat. Just salad tonight, I think.”

Helen frowned, but said nothing more. She tried to catch Hugh’s eye, but he was busying himself with putting a napkin in his lap. Lydia was watching Diana like a hawk, her eyes wide.

Cutlery clattered against china as everyone dished up in silence. It was stilted, certainly not companionable. The extra person in the room had tilted the dynamic. Helen looked up from dishing up salad for herself and saw Diana watching her, her head tilted slightly to the side, as though studying her curiously. Helen smiled back thinly, but Diana didn’t seem at all embarrassed at being caught in the act of staring. She didn’t immediately look away. Instead, Helen broke eye contact first.

Hugh coughed and said, “So, Diana, I’m guessing you are at college with Matt now? How are you enjoying it? Miles better than those dreadfully dull school days when I was teaching you history, I imagine?”

Diana giggled coyly. “Oh, you were never boring, Mr Whitmore. You were very charismatic.”