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new so none of us has been here very long.’
    ‘So you haven’t fallen out with anyone, no garden-boundary disputes or anything like that?’
    ‘No, nothing like that.’
    Millie leaned forward to place her coffee mug on the occasional table beside a wedding photograph. Only on a second glance did Millie realise it was Lucy, so different was the bride in the picture to the woman who sat before her. ‘You look fabulous,’ she said truthfully. The Lucy in the portrait glowed with good health. ‘And that’s a beautiful dress,’ she said, picking up the picture.
    ‘It should be.’ Lucy smiled. ‘It cost an arm and a leg.’
    ‘Where? Do you mind me asking?’
    Lucy gave a brief shake of the head. ‘Brackleys. They were terrific, did the whole package for us.’
    Somehow Millie wasn’t surprised. People came from far and wide to the exclusive department store in Birmingham’s city centre. It lent further weight to Mariner’s comment.
    ‘The food was a particular nightmare,’ Lucy was saying. ‘Will’s lactose intolerant, but they were so creative with the menus.’
    ‘How long have you been married?’ Millie asked.
    ‘Six months.’
    Wow, Millie thought, a lot could change in six months. The radiant bride in the photograph was a far cry from the pale, gaunt figure curled into the armchair across from her, although the right make-up could do wonders. ‘I got married just over a year ago,’ she said, pleased to find some common ground.
    Lucy’s face brightened too, sharing in the coincidence. ‘It’s great, isn’t it?’ she said, though, to Millie’s ears, the enthusiasm seemed a little forced.
    ‘He’s a good-looking bloke, your husband,’ Millie said, replacing the picture and stating only what was an obvious truth.
    ‘I know, I still can’t believe it really. I’m so lucky.’ She didn’t sound lucky. ‘Do you want to see the other pictures? ’ She was out of her seat and retrieving a big white album from the shelf before Millie had time to reply. But, in addition to satisfying Millie’s natural curiosity, it would also help her to get some idea of Lucy’s friends.
    Lucy came over and sat beside Millie on the sofa. Judging by the number of guests and their dress, the wedding had clearly been a big occasion.
    ‘Where did you have it?’ Millie asked.
    ‘The Wolverton,’ said Lucy. ‘Do you know it?’
    Millie didn’t, but she could see that it was quite a place. They got to the group photos. ‘So who are all these?’ As Lucy went through the names it was clear that the majority were her friends and family. ‘Not many from Will’s side,’ Millie commented lightly.
    ‘No, but he didn’t seem to mind. His mum and dad, that’s them there -’ she pointed to a couple beside her in the picture ‘- and the guys in the band of course. But he was cool with that. It was a long way for his folks to come, and after years of being on the road he isn’t that close to them any more. His friends and family these days are the band.’
    ‘And you,’ Millie added.
    ‘Yes, of course. And me.’
    ‘How did you and Will meet?’
    ‘He turned up at the aerobics class I used to go to with Julie-Ann. I assumed he would be interested in her, she’s much prettier than me. See, this is her, next to Tamsin.’ Lucy indicated one of the bridesmaids. ‘I couldn’t believe it when Will asked me out.’
    ‘Lucky you.’
    ‘Well, it wasn’t so much “out” as to a gig, where he was working,’ Lucy admitted. ‘But he took care of me and apart from when he was on stage it was like a date. I broke my first rule that night; never have sex on the -’ She broke off, glancing apologetically at Millie. ‘Sorry, you probably don’t want to know that.’ Millie brushed away the apology. ‘Antiquated rule anyway,’ Lucy went on. ‘How many people stick to that these days? Actually, I couldn’t help myself. It turned me on just to be sitting next to him, and he knew it. I’ve never felt that way