“Hey, you made it,” Lilly says, stating the obvious the second she pulls the front door open.

“Of course.” I wrap her in a tight hug.

The last time I was stood on her doorstep, I was a broken man. This time, I feel better than I’ve ever done.

“Caleb,” she greets and I step aside so she can hug him too.

We both drop our bags in the hallway and follow her to the living room.

“Fuck, look at those two go!” I say as two small people start dragging their bodies over towards us, doing a great snake/seal impression. I crouch down and grab one under each arm before I start spinning them around the room.

“Taylor,” Lilly screeches, “they’ve just eaten.”

I continue for a few more seconds just for my own amusement so I can watch her panic.

Once she’s happy they’re not about to puke everywhere, she leaves to get us both drinks. Both Nathan and Natalie take one look at me and make a beeline for my feet. Leaning down, I grab them again, sit one on each leg and start making silly faces. They both giggle in the most infectious way.

I look up when I feel Caleb’s stare burning into me. He has the sappiest look on his face.

“What?”

“You’re so good with them.”

“What, these two? How could you not be? They’re adorable.”

“Do you want kids?”

“It’s not something I’ve ever really put much thought into. I was convinced I didn’t want a relationship so kids were never really in the picture.”

“And what about now you’re in a relationship?”

“I think anything is a possibility.”

Our conversation gets cut short when Lilly reappears with two beers.

“So, where’s the birthday boy?” I ask. Lucas hit the big 30 yesterday so Lilly invited us for the weekend, along with Marcus, Lucas’ brother, and a couple of friends to celebrate.

“He’s gone to the hotel to pick up Marcus, Imogen and Eve. Joe and Nat are upstairs getting changed, and I think Dec’s on his way.”

* * *

Two hours later, the twins are in bed and the party has really started. By that, I mean CBeebies has been turned off, the mountain of toys has been cleared away, and the takeaway has arrived. It’s not exactly the kind of partying I’m used to, but I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my Friday night than with the people I love the most.

“What did you think of that sofa I send you a picture of?” Lilly asks after a mouth full of chicken korma. Fucking lightweight with her pussy curry!

“Loved it. We ordered it that night. We’re still searching for the right bedroom furniture though, so keep looking.”

I swear Lilly almost had an orgasm when I sent her pictures of our new flat. The noises she was making over the phone while she looked at them were pretty obscene. She’s been sending us images of all sorts of furniture, curtains and knickknacks every day since—most of which we’ve ordered straight away.

We continue chatting until the doorbell rings. It’s clear from the silent conversation Lilly and Lucas have between them that they’re not expecting anyone and don’t know who it is.

Lilly gets up and disappears, leaving us all to wonder.

“OH MY GOD!” is squealed from the front door, making us all look up and Lucas get to his feet. He’s just about to march towards the noise when Lilly follows it up with “NICOLE!”

The next few minutes are a blur because no sooner than we continued eating, a brown ball of fluff comes bounding into the room. I don’t realise it’s there until it launches itself on my lap, squeezing its way between me and the table so it can lick up the remains of my lamb madras.

“What the fuck?” I shout, trying to grab the fluffy thing and move it away from what it definitely should not be eating. I feel sorry for whoever is at the wrong end of that tomorrow.

I just about get him to the ground before Lilly comes in, followed by Nicole. I’ve met her a couple of times but I hardly recognise her. Her skin is pale, her eyes are dark and sunken and her usually gorgeous thick hair is limp and straggly around her shoulders.

“Everyone, this is Nicole, my best friend. Nicole, this is everyone.” Lilly goes around the table to introduce Nicole to those who haven’t met her before. It’s not until she gets halfway around the table that we all notice something is missing. Or should I say, someone.

“Where’s Dec gone?”