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foil and began attacking the twisty metal surrounding the cork. ‘What if Ed and Sharon are saving it for midnight?’
    ‘It’s okay, Mel,’ Cooper chipped in. ‘No need to get your knickers all bunched up, mate. Laura and I brought it with us. We’ve had it sitting in our fridge for ages. Me and Laura don’t really like the stuff so we brought it along tonight, but you can consider it your belated Christmas present if you like.’
    Before I could protest Chris popped the cork. Everyone in the kitchen looked at us with disdain as though we were acting like a bunch of yobs, which I suppose in a way we were.
    Chris took a swig from the bottle and then handed it to me. ‘Happy New Year, Mel.’
    ‘I really shouldn’t be doing this,’ I said taking the bottle from his hand. ‘You two are always leading me into bad ways.’
    ‘Us? Never.’
    I took a swig. ‘So, are either of you going to make any New Year’s resolutions?’
    Chris shook his head. ‘Don’t believe in them. I mean, what’s the point?’
    ‘They’re only supposed to be a bit of fun.’
    Chris didn’t look convinced. ‘Okay, so what’s yours?’
    ‘I’ve got a list as long as my arm . . . I’m taking up jogging . . . I’m going to start cycling into uni . . . I’m going to cut down on takeaways . . . and read more books . . . watch less TV . . . and . . . do you want me to carry on?’
    Chris did a mock cringe. ‘Please don’t.’
    I turned to Cooper. ‘What about you? Unlike your useless brother here you must have a few.’
    ‘No resolutions as such, just some plans.’
    ‘Like what?’
    ‘To buy a house. I’m sick of renting. It’s money down the drain. Laura and I should have enough saved for a deposit by the middle of the year as long as house prices don’t carry on going through the roof.’
    I thought about Laura’s comments back at the Old Oak about wanting to go travelling and sensed trouble on the horizon but said nothing.
    ‘Still, getting a house of your own isn’t the be all and end all, is it?’
    Chris laughed. ‘I think you’re making Mel feel bad about the fact that she’s wasting valuable time playing at being a student again rather than getting on the property ladder.’
    I punched Chris in the shoulder as hard as I could. ‘It’s unbelievable how much of a tosser you can be sometimes.’
    Cooper grinned. ‘Just ignore him, he’s not worth the effort.’ He looked at me sheepishly. ‘I suppose you’re right: getting a house isn’t the be all and end all but it’s a step forward, isn’t it? And that’s all I want really – a couple of steps forward.’
    There was something about the look on Cooper’s face, like a child desperately trying to hide a secret that made me curious.
    ‘What other “steps forward” are you thinking about?’
    Cooper just smiled enigmatically.
    ‘You’re not . . . ?’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Going to ask Laura to marry you, are you?’
    ‘Yeah, right. Do I look like a mug?’
    ‘What do you mean? I think you and Laura make a brilliant couple. Plus, it’s been ages since I’ve been to a good wedding. You should do it.’
    Cooper rolled his eyes. ‘Well, much as I’d like to help you out by throwing a good party, Mel, I’m afraid that won’t be happening anytime soon. But I’ll be sure to let you know if I change my mind, okay?’
    I looked at Chris in the hope that he might back me up but he just shrugged and offered me the champagne again. I glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was twenty minutes past ten and there was still no sign of Paul and Hannah.
    ‘So where’s his Lordship then?’ I asked, directing the question at both Chris and Cooper. ‘He is still coming, isn’t he?’
    Chris shrugged. ‘That’s what he told me but you know what he’s like, your guess is as good as mine.’
    ‘Maybe Hannah didn’t fancy the idea of spending the biggest night of the year with a bunch of her boyfriend’s friends who don’t really like