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Despite Jamie’s words, Amrita was still surprised when they got back from their very picturesque walk around the lake to find the mini pink woodland buzzing with people – the tables, chairs and mismatched furniture were overflowing with people, food, drink and laughter. Their table had been taken over by Mia, Aiden and Sylvie – along with a brunette woman she hadn’t met before.

‘Hey!’ Mia waved to them. ‘We thought these were your bags. You don’t mind sharing, do you?’

Jamie looked to Amrita, who smiled and shrugged. ‘No, it’ll be nice.’ She sat down.

‘Great. We were just about to start sharing out the food – we do potluck style. But don’t worry if you didn’t know to bring anything, there’s always plenty to go around.’

‘Jamie mentioned it.’ She reached for her bag, suddenly feeling a bit shy. ‘I wasn’t totally sure what to bring…’

‘I hope you brought your samosas,’ Sylvie interrupted. ‘They’re delicious,’ she told the others.

‘I did.’ Amrita unzipped the bag and lifted out the first of her pans and unwrapped it from the tea towel that she’d used to keep them a bit more upright. ‘And a quick chicken biriyani, mushroom aloo, and some parathas.’

‘I said most people bring a dish to share. You didn’t have to bring loads.’ Jamie gawped.

‘This isn’t loads.’ She shrugged and unpacked the samosas.

‘It’s four separate dishes.’

‘Technically, two are sides and the other is more… snacky than a proper dish.’

‘You really didn’t have to do all of this.’ He pulled a face. ‘I’m feeling a bit bad that all I have is some crisps and fizzy drinks.’

‘Hey, just because you’re unimaginative it doesn’t mean you have to deprive us!’ The woman with the brown hair poked a tongue out at Jamie.

‘Nice.’ He rolled his eyes at her. ‘Amrita, meet Lily-Ann. Lily-Ann, Amrita.’

Amrita smiled at her. ‘It’s nice to meet you.’

‘Nice to meet you too. I have to say, so far you live up to expectations.’ Amrita must have pulled a face, because she hurried to add, ‘I own the florist’s in town and made Jamie tell me about you to make sure he gave you the right type of flowers.’

‘Oh, those were your work? They were beautiful, and they lasted and lasted for ages. I kept expecting to wake up and find them drooping but they looked amazing for at least three weeks!’

Amrita missed the wink that Lily-Ann flashed at Jamie while she finished unpacking her bag. Mia produced rounds of deeply filled sandwiches while Sylvie pulled out sausage rolls and cheese and onion twists. Lily-Ann produced a salad that was as fresh, crisp and fragrant as if it had been picked a few minutes ago and a jar of deep red jam.

‘Cherry.’ She smiled with a shrug. ‘Seemed appropriate.’

‘And the perfect accompaniment to Aiden’s scones.’ Mia pulled out a basket lined with chequered cloth. ‘Anyone seen the rest of the Glimmers gang? They usually bring the cheese and crackers.’

‘I thought you said this wasn’t really planned?’ Amrita murmured to Jamie as food was passed around. ‘It seems perfectly orchestrated.’

‘This wasn’t… but picnics, potlucks and random just-because-the-sun-is-out get-togethers? These are fairly regular.’

‘Especially now you’ve dragged yourself back home.’ A petite, slim woman wrapped her arms around Jamie’s neck, leaning over his shoulder to kiss him on the cheek. Amrita felt a tug of something dark inside her chest, until the woman looked up and gave her a bright, happy smile as she held out her hand. ‘You have to be Amrita. You’re every bit as gorgeous as I’d heard. What on earth are you doing with Jamie?’

‘Feel free to leave again, Katie.’ Jamie rolled his eyes.

‘I mean, I could.’ She prodded him until he obediently shifted over on the bench, making a bit more room for her. ‘Or I could fill Amrita in on all the things he probably doesn’t want you to know!’

‘Oh, I think you should definitely stay.’ Amrita grinned.

‘We have a lot to tell you,’ Mia chimed in.

‘What happened to your better half and Rayenne?’ Jamie asked.

‘You can’t hide behind them – Rayenne had a client and Phe is waiting for her and closing up the shop. They’re coming down in a bit. Which means we’ve got plenty of time to dish the dirt. Like we could tell Amrita about when you were six and me and Mia managed to convince you that the moon was upset with you, and that was why it was waning.’ She grinned at Amrita. ‘And of course, Jamie being the sweet⁠—’

‘Gullible,’ Mia interrupted.