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inanely, and sat down on the stool next to Lucy’s. Lucy was still scanning the pub, so Claire introduced herself to the other woman at the table.
    â€œAbby Rhodes.” The woman, small with long, dark hair, eyed her in a knowing way that made Claire tense. She didn’t recognize the name, but . . . “We were in school at the same time,” Abby explained. Her voice was soft, and Claire had to lean forward to listen. “I was in Year Two to your Year Six.” She offered a teasing smile. “You were one of the in girls.”
    The in girls. Claire shook her head as if to deny it, although she knew she couldn’t. She had been one of those popular girls, even though it had felt like a bewildering joke at the time, something she neither understood nor trusted.
    â€œWell,” she said, because she had nothing else to say, but Abby seemed to want a response.
    Lucy sat down with a sigh of satisfaction and started pouring them all glasses of wine. “I hope red’s all right,” she said to Claire. “It’s what we usually get, but if you want something else—”
    â€œActually,” Claire said, “I’ll just have some sparkling water.”
    Lucy stopped in midpour, and then she said quickly, “Of course, sorry. I should have asked first.”
    â€œNo, no, it’s fine. I’ll just go up to the bar and order.” Claire rose awkwardly from the little table, while Lucy attempted to pour the wine from her glass into Abby’s. Murmuring an apology, Claire made her way to the bar.
    What on earth had possessed her to agree to come to the pub, of all places? Her parents would be appalled. Andrew would pontificate how she shouldn’t put herself in the way of temptation. All because she’d gotten drunk rather publicly and embarrassingly and Hugh had decided she had a
problem.
    Maybe she did. Maybe she had a lot of problems.
    She came up to the bar, only to stifle a groan as she realized she was standing next to Rachel Campbell.
    Rachel was ignoring her and chatting with the man behind thebar, who looked vaguely familiar. Someone else who recognized her, for he smiled as he turned to her and said, “Hello, Claire. What can I do for you?”
    â€œA glass of sparkling water, please.”
    The man smiled slowly as he reached for the bottle. “You don’t remember me, do you?”
    Claire forced an apologetic smile. “Sorry, no.”
    â€œWhy should she?” Rachel said. “Although you did make her life a misery.”
    â€œAh, come now, Rach. That’s a bit harsh.” Rachel shrugged, and Claire looked at them both blankly, trying to remember whatever it was they were referring to.
    â€œI might have pulled your plaits a time or two,” the man said to her as he handed her a glass of water. “But it was nowt more than what any seven-year-old boy would do. And you paid me back by ignoring me completely in Year Six.”
    Claire could feel her smile turning strained. “I suppose we’re even, then,” she said, and he stuck out his hand for her to shake.
    â€œRob Telford, since you obviously don’t remember. That stings a little, by the way. I thought I’d made quite an impression.” He winked at her, and Claire managed to smile back.
    â€œI’m afraid primary school is a bit of a blur to me,” she said. “It was so long ago.” And she’d been so unhappy for most of it.
    â€œThat it was,” Rachel agreed, and straightened, giving Claire a direct look for the first time. “We ought to sit down. The quiz will be starting in a minute. You are joining our team, aren’t you?”
    Rachel was on Lucy’s team? Claire tried for another smile. “Brilliant.” She reached for her purse. “How much do I owe you?” she asked Rob.
    â€œOn the house, Claire,” he said. “Welcome back to Hartley-by-the-Sea.”
    She smiled her