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Charlie elbowed Jack before taking a breath. “And Jack is my boyfriend.”

“Oooh,” said Dottie. “That’s exciting! We’re celebrating today because Mummy is gay, too. Did you know?”

“Well,” said Charlie, “if I didn’t, I do now. But yes. I know. And I am thrilled that your mum is now part of the cool gang.”

“The LGBTQIA+ gang?” asked Dottie, the acronym rolling off her tongue a bit more easily now.

“That’s the one,” said Jack. “I like you. Would you be my friend as well as Charlie’s?”

“Oh yes,” said Dottie. “Question first, though.” She looked intently at the newcomer.

“Right, ok, I’m ready,” said Jack, looking serious.

“Do you like Taylor Swift?” asked Dottie.

“Well that’s easy. Yes, of course,” said Jack. “Although I’ll let you in on a little secret, and I hope you won’t judge me for it. I like Billie Eilish a tiny bit more.” He widened his eyes as though readying himself for an onslaught of criticism.

“Hmm,” said Dottie. “Ok, I’m willing to let that go, because I like her, too. We can be friends.” She held out her hand for Jack to shake.

“Now the formalities are done with, I’d like to say how nice it is to meet you, Jack,” said Philippa. “You help run the Jam Pot cafe, right?”

“Yeah,” said Jack, “with my sister, Seymour.”

“I’m a big fan,” said Philippa. “Can I get either of you a drink when I order a stack of pancakes at the bar?”

“Ooh, pancakes,” said Charlie. “I went to the gym this morning, so I’ve definitely earned some.”

“I’m not sure lounging about in the sauna counts as a full gym session,” said Jack, looking at his boyfriend fondly. “But no one needs an excuse for pancakes.”

Dottie laughed and Philippa reflected that she hadn’t seen Charlie so at ease with someone in a very long time. It was good to see him settled.

The four of them chatted and tucked into pancakes, enjoying the lazy Sunday morning vibes.

“Have you seen Fletch recently?” asked Charlie.

Philippa paused before answering, certain her face had given away the fact that she very much had seen Alex recently. And that the meeting had not been uneventful.

“She had birthday drinks on Friday, and I went along.” She kept her voice as smooth as she could.

Charlie raised an eyebrow. “Me thinks the lady doth underplay that. Something has clearly happened.”

“What’s happened, Mummy?” asked Dottie, swivelling her head in order to favour Philippa with her customary hard stare.

“Nothing,” said Philippa, keeping her voice light and breezy. “I went out to celebrate a friend’s birthday while you were at Daddy’s.”

Jack looked at Charlie, who appeared to have no intention of giving up on this one. Philippa side-eyed her daughter, trying to remind Charlie that this might not be the right conversation to have in front of Dottie.

Jack smiled. “Dottie, did you see there are some board games over there? Do you fancy choosing one for us to play?”

Jack winked at Philippa and Charlie, leading Dottie away.

“What happened?” said Charlie. “I was supposed to go, but I had a terrible headache. I need to live vicariously through you. And you know I love a spot of lesbian drama.”

Philippa rolled her eyes, but smiled. “No drama here. But you’re right, of course. We kissed.” She looked down to try and hide her heating cheeks.

“You kissed!” exclaimed Charlie.

“Shh, I don’t need my love life debacles shared with everyone in here, least of all Dottie,” said Philippa in a stage whisper.