‘Oh, loads,’ she laughed. ‘Maintaining that house is like painting the Forth Bridge. But I’m taking the night off! I just nipped out to drop Harry’s things at Nicky’s. He’s having a sleepover.’

‘Sounds good. Are you going out? Or having a quiet night in?’

‘Well, I was supposed to be going out with some mums, but that’s fallen through thanks to an outbreak of chicken pox,’ she said ruefully. ‘A couple of the kids are sleepless with it and their mums are knackered. And another of the mums is pregnant and has never had it, so she’s a bit worried about catching it. But it’s fine, we’ll just save our night out for a couple of weeks’ time.’

‘Well, if you fancy a drink, I’ve got a bottle of red doing nothing and I could do with unwinding,’ I said.

Her face lit up, but she hesitated nevertheless. ‘Are you sure? I bet you’re knackered, aren’t you? I know how busy work is.’

‘Honestly, it’d be really nice. I’ve hardly seen you since Bill’s gig and it’s tricky to talk when Harry and Giles are around.’

She laughed. ‘Yeah, men, eh? Well, so long as you’re sure, that’d be fab. I’ll just take this inside,’ she held up what I presumed to be Harry’s school bag, ‘and then I’ll be right round.’

‘So where’s Giles tonight, then?’ asked Kerry, leaning towards me from her position on the sofa and refilling, for the second time, the glass I extended towards her, before pouring the last dregs of the bottle into her own.

‘Date night,’ I replied, relaxing back into my armchair. ‘With Melissa,’ I added significantly.

Her eyes widened and she flapped a hand, as she hurried to swallow a mouthful of wine. ‘Ooh, yes,’ she rasped, coughing slightly, ‘Nicky said he was seeing her friend. Melissa, eh? What’s she like? Sounded nice, the way Nicky described her.’

‘Haven’t actually met her yet, but I’ve seen a photo and heard a description and, based on that, she’s his usual type.’

‘Which is…?’ Kerry pulled the pouffe nearer and plonked her feet down on top of it.

‘Highly accomplished English rose.’

She nodded. ‘Could’ve guessed that.’

‘Yes…’ I sighed. ‘My aunty always wanted him to branch out a bit, but you know…’ I shrugged, ‘you like what you like, don’t you?’

‘And what does Edie like?’ she asked, winking.

‘God, I haven’t thought about men in a long time. I’m just really focused on my job and that’s making me really happy right now.’

‘No one you’re interested in at work?’

I choked on my wine. ‘At work? Has Cameron told you anything about Luke and Roger?’

‘A bit. But nothing about whether they’re sexy or not. So come on, fill me in.’