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‘Do you like him?’

‘I do.’

‘And obviously he likes you too.’

‘Why obviously?’

‘Because you’re you. He’d have to be crazy not to. Is he crazy?’

‘I don’t think so…’

‘So, you’re going to bring him?’

‘It’s only two weeks away. It might be too short notice…’

‘But you’ll ask him?’ Kiran insisted.

‘Don’t you think it might be a bit much? Introducing him to everyone so soon?’

‘If he stays around, he’ll have to meet us all sooner or later.’

‘True.’ Amrita drummed her fingers against her leg. ‘But I’ll be doing lots of things with you.’

‘Yes, but you know the boys will look after him.’

‘I don’t think that’s as reassuring as you mean it to be.’

‘Don’t pull that face at me!’ Kiran rolled her eyes. ‘I’m the bride, and I say I want to meet him. Please, please, please, please, please, please, please!’

‘Ugh, why do I still let that work on me? OK, OK, I’ll ask him. If I get an opportunity to…’

‘Since when do you wait for opportunities instead of making them happen?’

‘OK, I’ll think about it.’

‘Or you could just ask him?’

‘OK. But can we please confirm the playlist now?’

‘Of course. Do you and Jamie have a song yet?’

‘No.’ Amrita wouldn’t admit to how many times she’d heard the one they’d first kissed to, or that it was now safely downloaded to her phone. ‘And he might not be able to make it.’

‘I’m sure he will,’ Kiran said with a grin.

* * *

Jamie was eager and arrived early at Sugar Rush – but at least that meant he could grab one of the cosy spots tucked into the corner of the café. Despite how busy she was, Amrita had insisted on driving to meet him in Hudsbury – feeling a bit guilty that it was her family’s events that were keeping them apart. He stood to meet her as soon as he spotted her through the large window – earlier than he’d expected.

‘Hey, you’re early too.’ He knew it was clichéd, and he inwardly cringed at the thought, but he couldn’t help thinking the dull grey morning suddenly seemed a lot brighter when he spotted her walking towards him. ‘Isn’t it nice that the sun’s come out? I thought it would rain all day!’

He realised the sun had finally burst from behind the clouds, dropping a shaft of sunlight on them, dusted slightly with the usual layer of sparkling pixie dust.

Amrita closed the last few steps between them, and leaned in to brush her lips gently against his. He had to clench his hand inside his jacket pocket, reminding himself of his promise to take things slowly – matching her pace – when what he really wanted to do was drag her against him and finish off what they’d started in Sylvie’s kitchen. He kept having dreams about what it would have been like to have swept the table clear and lifted her onto it.

‘Did I keep you waiting long?’

‘No. I just… I didn’t want to… miss a moment with you. Or risk there being anything else that might come up.’