I wish I’d taken the car to pick Joe up from school today, but the storm wasn’t forecast, and neither was Joe’s disappointment. Finally, we burst in through the front door, soaking wet from the rainstorm, with Joe still in tears. The hallway is as gloomy as our moods, and so I flip on the light switch, illuminating my son’s tear-streaked face.

Joe and Tyler got into an argument at school earlier today and everyone took Tyler’s side. Poor Joe had kept his emotions in check all day, determined not to cry, but as soon as we left the school gates, the whole story came flooding out. In between gulping sobs, he told me what happened. He got to school this morning and excitedly handed out his party invitations, but it turns out Tyler’s birthday is on the same day, and Tyler said that everyone would be going to his party, not Joe’s.

‘Let’s go upstairs and get changed,’ I say, kissing my son’s wet cheek. ‘We’ll get into nice, dry clothes and I’ll make you something to eat, okay?’

‘I’m not hungry,’ Joe sobs. He flings his coat on the floor, kicks off his shoes and stomps upstairs. I go to follow him, then change my mind. No. I’ll give him a few minutes alone to calm down. He’s had a terrible disappointment and a difficult day. I need to try to make this right. I need to call Darcy.

I shrug off my sodden coat and hang it on the wooden coat stand. My clothes are soaked through, but I’ll sort this out before I get changed. I take my phone out of my bag and wince as Joe’s bedroom door slams shut. I’m about to bring up Darcy’s contact details when I see I have three missed calls – all from Darcy. Good. She obviously wants to sort this out, too. I walk through to the kitchen and return her call. She answers straight away.

‘Louisa? Tyler’s come home in tears,’ she says.

‘Joe, too.’ I switch on the kitchen light and sit down at the table, sliding a pile of bills away across its crumb-strewn surface.

‘Can you believe our boys’ birthdays are on the same day?’ she says.

‘I know. What are we going to do?’ I push my dripping wet hair back off my face and rest my chin in my hand.

‘Joint party?’ she suggests.

‘Genius.’ I breathe a sigh of relief. ‘We’re having a football party at the park, followed by pizza. I can print out new invitations and add Tyler’s name. Joe can—’

‘Hmm,’ Darcy interrupts. ‘Sounds cute, but we’ve already booked out Bournemouth Football Ground. The boys are going to have some coaching, play a game, then have a tour of the grounds and meet the players. I can’t really cancel it now.’

‘Oh… okay. Um—’

‘Would you mind if Joe joined in with Tyler’s party instead?’ she asks.

‘Oh. Well, yes. I mean, that would be great.’ I’m a little taken aback. I’d already arranged everything for Joe but I suppose it makes sense if she’s already booked such a big event. ‘How do you want to do it? We can split the costs and—’

‘No, no,’ she says. ‘It’s all paid for. We don’t need to split it.’

‘I couldn’t… ’ I can’t let Darcy and Mike pay for my son’s birthday party. It doesn’t seem right. ‘I’d have to contribute something.’

‘Please,’ Darcy says. ‘You’d be doing us a huge favour. We obviously can’t have separate parties as they both have the same friends. But I’d hate to cancel Tyler’s football stadium tour. He’s really looking forward to it. Joe would love it, too, wouldn’t he?’

‘Of course, but—’

‘So that settles it,’ she says.

‘Well, at least let me do the birthday cake and party bags,’ I say.

‘The party bags are done,’ she says. ‘Why don’t we bring our own cakes – that way, they each have Happy Birthday sung to them by their friends.’

I can see what she’s saying makes total sense, and yet for her to organise the whole thing… it makes me worry that I’m taking advantage. Or – even worse – like I’m a charity case.

‘Well,’ I say, unsure how else to solve the issue, ‘if you’re absolutely sure… ’

‘Awesome.’

‘So, what about the invitations?’ I say. ‘Shall I print some out with both their names?’

‘No, that’s fine. They’re already with the printer. I’ll give him a call and get him to add Joe’s name. Tyler will bring them in later this week and the boys can hand them out together.’

‘Okay, great,’ I say, relaxing my shoulders. ‘I hope Tyler’s okay now. Hopefully, they’ll make up tomorrow. I better go upstairs and check on Joe. Tell him about the new plans. I’m sure this will cheer him up.’

‘Perfect,’ Darcy says. ‘Oh, and also, would you and Jared like to come out for dinner with us on Thursday night? We have reservations for Shore View. The table’s for two, but we know the manager – he’ll squeeze in two more for us. Mike has taken a shine to your hubby and wants to talk business.’

I know for a fact that Shore View is booked up until sometime next year. The prices are extortionate, but Jared would be thrilled at the opportunity to eat there. We can pick something from the menu that’s not too expensive. ‘That would be wonderful,’ I say. ‘What time?’

‘Table’s booked for eight. We could meet there for drinks first, around seven.’

‘Let me just see if I can arrange a babysitter, and—’

‘Joe can stay at ours,’ Darcy says. ‘Drop him round beforehand. Marianna’s staying on to babysit.’

‘That’s okay. I’m sure we can find a—’

‘Honestly, it’s not a problem. He can stay over and then you don’t need to worry about it.’

I don’t want to say yes, but I can’t think of any excuse to give. ‘Okay, well if you’re sure…’ I find myself repeating.

‘Absolutely.’

‘Tyler will have to come to ours next time,’ I offer lamely.

‘Great, he’d love to.’

We haven’t even known them a week, and they’re showering us with friendship and favours. I decide to organise a sitter anyway. I can unmake plans with Darcy for Joe to stay over. I can’t take advantage of her hospitality again.