She took tiny steps in, looking all around even though she’d been here before. She was wearing a deep red jumpsuit that looked effortlessly sexy and effortlessly casual at the same time. “Am I the first here?”

“Yes, but Heather and her wife will be here soon. She’s always aggressively early. You remember her, right?”

“Yes, sort of.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t know half the people coming either. They’re from Ben’s college. Do you want a drink? Wine?”

“Yes, please.” She had her arms crossed, almost distracting from how good she looked. As my eyes glanced over her flat stomach, I still felt shock that a baby had once been in there.

I sloshed out two generous glasses of wine and we stood, eating the olives, while I kept checking the progress of the lasagna through the glass of the oven door.

“Is Bridget OK with you being away?”

“Worryingly fine. I was hoping she’d at least say she missed me, but all she said was ‘Grandma lets me have two chocolate mousse when you’re not here.’”

I laughed while her eyes darted around as if she was about to be attacked. At that moment, Ben bowled in, looking ridiculously sexy in a smart, baby blue shirt, his hair still slightly damp from the shower. He broke into a grin and walked with an outstretched hand. “You must be Jessica,” he said. “So nice to finally meet you. Thanks for coming all this way to be let down by my shit cooking.”

My eyes were on his, taking in him taking her in. I saw his gaze flutter up her perfect body, quickly reaching her stunning face. He betrayed no hint of attraction, but would be blind not to have at least a stirring.

Jessica gave a small smile. “So nice to meet you too. I’ve heard so much about you from Fern.”

“All good I hope. Ahh, great, you’ve got wine. I need one.” He unscrewed the bottle and poured himself some. “So, you guys have been friends since...”

“...we were fourteen,” I said.

“Yes,” Jessica was gulping her wine down. I’d never seen her so nervous before, especially with a man in the room. I’d been expecting her to dazzle and charm and flirt and bowl him over with her Jessica-ness, but she still had her arms clasped around her. “I was new in school, and she was the only one who was nice to me.”

Ben put an arm around my waist. “Sounds like Fern.” I beamed, relieved he’d never know all my dark jealous thoughts. “It’s great that you’re back in touch now,” he said. “Fern’s loved seeing you again.”

I saw the compliment plant a seed in Jessica’s face, one that bloomed into a quick, full, smile. “Really?”