I feel a tremble of excitement inside. It’s years since I felt like this. Probably since Jake and I first started going out and we couldn’t wait to race home from restaurants to touch each other naked. We had a lot of half-eaten meals in those days. And I feel sad that somewhere along the way we lost that, the sheer pleasure of each other. But not even those thoughts can dampen my spirits today.

‘I think we should propose a toast,’ Monica says.

‘Hear, hear.’ Charlotte lifts her glass in agreement.

I have another drink in preparation.

‘To Lyssa,’ Monica starts. ‘The Baby Blues page will not be the same without you.’

‘To Lyssa,’ Charlotte picks up. ‘A great friend. A great editor.’

‘We’re going to miss you,’ Monica says.

I’m going to miss them too. This is a big move. For the first time I feel a flutter of apprehension. It will be the first time I’ve spoken my intentions out loud.

‘To My Divorce,’ Monica says, and throws back her wine.

‘To My Divorce,’ Charlotte echoes, and does likewise.

I have another drink just for the hell of it. I didn’t go near a drop of alcohol all the time I was trying to get pregnant and I think I should, therefore, try to make up for lost time.

‘You’ll love it,’ Monica effuses. ‘They’re a fab bunch. Not as fab as us, of course, but fab nevertheless.’

‘And we can still have girly lunches together,’ Charlotte assures me.

‘They do, however, want you to move desks,’ Monica says as if this revelation is going to be a surprise to me. I always knew it was on the cards. Too many people have their eye on my prime spot. I bet my mate Monica is up there at the top of the list. She hangs her head slightly. ‘Are you worried about that?’

‘No.’ And I’m not. Really, I’m not.

She sags slightly with relief. ‘I’m sooo pleased,’ she says. ‘I’d sort of had my sights trained on it, to be truthful.’

‘I guessed as much.’

‘You’ll still love me when I’m gazing out of your great view?’

‘Maybe.’ I want her to know that I’m not a complete pushover.

‘Well…’ Monica rubs her hands together and casts a greedy eye over the tapas dishes. ‘Shall we tuck in before this lot gets cold?’

They both spear a tasty morsel.

‘This is nice, isn’t it?’ Charlotte mumbles.

I take another leisurely drink. ‘I’m not going to work for My Divorce.’

Their food stops halfway to their mouths.

Monica doesn’t look overly amused. ‘What?’

Charlotte’s chin has hit the floor.