I waved a hand dismissively. ‘I was just flopping, so I thought I may as well flop here with Harry. If he’s OK with that, of course.’

‘He’ll be over the moon,’ she smiled. ‘He’s in the bathroom at the moment, but we’ve just popped Megamind into the DVD player and the plan was to start watching that now and then finish it with Ron when he arrives.’

‘Cameron’s coming?’ Shock was evident in my voice.

Kerry’s face fell. ‘Is that a problem? I thought you two were getting along really well.’

‘Oh, we are, we are,’ I said, trying to smile. ‘I…’ I hesitated, reluctant to appear vain. ‘I just look a bit, you know, not very…’ I pointed up at my turban and then down at my bathrobe and crumpled, calf-length pyjama bottoms.

She laughed and waved a hand. ‘Now let’s be honest,’ she said, ‘you couldn’t look bad if you tried. And as if Ron will care.’

I nodded, feeling simultaneously complimented and crushed. ‘Yes, I’m being silly. He won’t notice, will he?’ I said weakly.

‘Nope.’ She turned to look up the stairs. ‘You ready yet, Harry?’ she called, at a volume that caused me to wince and take an involuntary step backwards. ‘There’s a surprise visitor for you down here!’ She turned back towards me, looking down at what she was wearing. ‘Is this all right?’ she asked uncertainly, brushing off the dress. ‘Do you think it fits OK? I did think about asking if you’d come round this afternoon and give me your opinion, but then I felt like a bit of a tit for fussing.’

‘You look great,’ I said, now feeling wholly complimented. ‘I really love the dress. Where’s it from?’

‘Nicky,’ she said. ‘It’s all from Nicky: the dress, the bag, the shoes.’ She pointed towards a navy blue shoulder bag and matching heels on the floor next to her. ‘Do you think it’s OK?’

‘It’s a perfect look,’ I said, ‘and besides, Giles got flustered when you were wearing your decorating gear. I don’t think you should try too hard to make him feel any more unworthy than he already does.’

Appearing a little emotional, she threw her arms around me in a crushing hug. ‘Thanks, Edie.’

‘Edie!’ cried Harry, running down the stairs. ‘You can watch Megamind.’

‘Hey, now listen, you,’ said Kerry, placing a hand on his head as he came to a halt by her side. ‘Edie’s going to stay with you until Ron gets here and I want you to be really good for her. You’re not to ask her to make, paint, kick or throw anything. You just sit quietly and watch the movie, OK?’

His eyes slid away from hers. ‘I was going to do that anyway.’

‘That’s good. And I love you very much.’ Kerry crouched and opened her arms for a hug.