Mimi and Jill were both running late and Andrea had decided she couldn’t wait for them before getting started on a drink. She needed it after everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. She and Mimi had planned this lunch after both agreeing that they needed to keep a closer eye on Jill and make sure she was doing okay. On Tuesdays, Andrea didn’t have classes after lunch and, while she would usually use the time to do marking, being days from the end of the year meant she could give herself the afternoon off.

She felt her phone buzz in her pocket and pulled it out, expecting it to be a message from either Mimi or Jill, letting her know they were on their way. It wasn’t, it was from Shaun.

Sorry I didn’t contact you sooner after we met on the weekend. Things have been busy. But thank you so much for stepping in with Violet last night. Sounds like you were there for her right when she needed you. Can we meet up and talk properly? Any chance you’re free for a drink on Friday night? No pressure.

She registered a tiny flip low in her stomach. That was weird. She supposed it was just that she was pleased she was going to learn the full story about Shaun’s connection to Heather and Violet. Although . . . drinks on a Friday night. Was that leaning into date territory? Did she need to clarify with Shaun that she was married? As soon as she’d had the thought she felt silly. A guy like Shaun wouldn’t have any interest in her. She dismissed her concerns and wrote back that Friday night was perfect and he replied with details of a bar where they could meet.

She was glad that she’d have something to do this weekend. With school finishing up this week, spending Friday night home alone would have felt a bit anticlimactic. Tony was going to be out at Christmas drinks with his publishers and she’d been disappointed that the invite hadn’t extended to partners.

She looked up to see Mimi weaving her way through the tables towards her. She had one baby strapped to her chest.

‘Umm, Mimi,’ said Andrea as she reached the table. ‘Did you forget one of your babies?’

‘Ha,’ said Mimi. ‘No, James is at home with Pete. Divide and conquer. One twin each. From now on James is his and Elliot is mine. If we ever split up, it’ll be like The Parent Trap.’

‘Wait, what?’

‘I’m kidding! James was a bit sniffly, that’s why I left her with Pete.’

Mimi started unstrapping Elliot from her chest and then passed her across to Andrea before sitting down and plucking at her top. There was a damp mark where Elliot had been pressed against her. ‘What’s going on?’ she asked. ‘You don’t sound like yourself.’