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When she wrapped her arms around him, her head fell softly onto his chest. It was no small blessing to have people she felt as comfortable with as she did with Ben.

‘Anything I can help with in here?’ Ben said after they broke apart.

Holly shook her head. ‘Keep an eye on our daughter. I don’t actually know where she is.’

‘She’s out in the garden with her favourite aunt, her grandparents, and two other adults vying to be step-parents. I think she’ll be fine, don’t you?’

‘You’re right. Of course you’re right.’

With Ben continuing to linger, Holly finally remembered the cake. After checking she had not only the candles but a lighter too, she opened the fridge, ready to pull it out when her mother came rushing in, breathless.

‘Stop! Stop what you’re doing!’ she said.

With her hands frozen in position, Holly turned around.

‘Are you alright, Mum? Is everything okay?’

‘We don’t want the cake now. We do not want the cake now.’

Ben and Holly exchanged a look that involved suppressed smirks. Panicked Wendy was a whole different kettle of fish to deal with.

‘Okay, is there a reason?’

‘I just heard your dad saying to Lenny how he hates it when I rush things and bring out dessert before he’s had a chance to do the barbecue properly.’

‘So we’re not doing the cake yet?’

‘No. Not until he’s done the meat. And put these away, will you,’ she said, grabbing the candles and shoving them back in the drawer, before she turned around and rushed back out of the house, leaving Ben and Holly still smirking at one another.

‘I guess it’s back to mingling,’ he said.

‘You really should. I just realised you left Georgia on her own out there. Does she even know anyone?’

A crease formed on Ben’s brow.

‘She knows Hope.’

‘You need to rescue her,’ Holly said. ‘And I should probably see how Evan is getting on.’

Having left the kitchen as empty-handed as she came, Holly headed back outside, close on Ben’s heels.

‘Apparently, they are clubbing together,’ Ben said when they reached the patio.

It took Holly a moment to see what he was talking about. Over by her mother’s rosebushes, Georgia and Evan were chatting away. A knot tightened in Holly’s stomach. There was no way around it. Georgia looked like a much better match than she ever did for Evan. They were similar heights, both athletic, and they were both, undeniably, beautiful.

She shook her head to clear those thoughts from her mind. She would not be paranoid about things like that. Evan loved her as she was.

‘You two seem to be getting on well?’ she said when they reached them.

Georgia turned to her and flashed a brilliant white smile.

‘We really are. Holly, it’s so nice to see you again.’

‘You too.’

‘Everything okay?’ Holly said, looking up at Evan, who flashed an equally brilliant smile as Georgia.

‘Absolutely.’