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‘Evening, Angela.’ Callum appeared in the kitchen. ‘Right, you mucky mischief makers, time we all went and washed up for dinner. Liv, are you coming to help? I might need an extra pair of hands to get rid of all the glitter. Which is mandatory for anyone wanting dessert.’

‘Of course. And it might be best to make sure we don’t flood Evelyn and Jake’s bathroom too.’

‘I only did that once,’ Sarah huffed, rolling her eyes and tutting, making her seem far more like a teenager than the sweet little girl she was.

‘Shift, go on. Otherwise Tilly and Sparks can have your dinner. I’m pretty sure they’ll both like toad in the hole,’ Jake threatened.

‘We’re going, we’re going.’ Summer raced from the room. ‘Come on, Uncle Callum!’

Angela smiled as she watched the girls run ahead, giggling and whispering. She adored these random Macpearson family dinners she often got invited to. They’d started years ago, when Jake, Callum and Kim were still young — and their mum had happily scooped up and fed anyone who happened to be around at the right time for dinner. Being practice manager and receptionist at the Macpearson’s GP surgery there weren’t many people in the village their mum didn’t know. Angela was glad the meals had been continued — random, rarely planned and as fun as they always were.

‘So quick, before the girls come back, how are you doing, Angela?’ Evelyn squeezed her fingers.

‘I’m OK.’ She sighed sadly. She didn’t miss the look that flitted between Evelyn and Jake. ‘What’s going on?’

‘When Rick came into the surgery today, he stayed and had a bit of a chat.’

‘And? I’m not bothered if you want to stay friends with him. It’s not like that.’

‘Good to know.’ Jake nodded. ‘But that wasn’t why I was telling you.’

‘OK.’ Angela watched him expectantly.

‘The thing is, well . . .’

‘Just tell her,’ Evelyn urged.

‘Tell me what?’

‘That it turns out Yvette is a huge bitch,’ Evelyn answered.

‘That seems a bit harsh,’ Angela said, not really knowing why she was defending the other woman. Habit, she supposed.

‘It turns out that the baby isn’t Rick’s,’ Jake added gently. ‘And it seems that Yvette knew all along.’

‘Wow.’ Angela didn’t know what she was supposed to say or feel about that. ‘Are you sure?’

‘He seemed pretty certain.’ Jake nodded.

‘Huh.’ Angela chewed her lip while she thought.

‘Well, what do you think?’

‘I think that it doesn’t change anything.’ Angela sighed as she worked it out. ‘As much as I want to believe that it does, let’s be honest about it, he walked away from me too easily. Apart from a couple of calls I didn’t — couldn’t — answer, and a rambling message about how sorry he was and how he needed to work things out, I’ve not heard from him.’

‘Did you reply to the message?’

‘Wasn’t really anything to say.’ Angela shrugged. ‘What was I supposed to do? Beg him to pick me and a few weeks of good sex over the woman he has history and a future with?’ She knew she was probably being unfair, and massively downplaying what she thought she’d had with Ryan, but it didn’t matter. Maybe she’d been wrong all along — maybe Ryan was the illusion, and the real version of him really was the slick, designer-clad Maverick. ‘Besides, it’s not like I can compete.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Come on, guys, don’t be naive. She’s model-beautiful and they had a life together, long before he smashed into the café. One filled with fancy restaurants, designer gear and all things glamorous. Compared to what? Endless piles of manure, cold damp mornings that start too early and donations that never reach far enough to balance the books?’

‘Compared to you.’

‘Some big whoop I am.’

‘Angela, you shouldn’t talk down about yourself like that!’ Evelyn scolded.