‘Hi.’

Everyone turned in their seats at the sound of a stranger’svoice. A young woman stood at the door, looking nervously into the room.

Marty said, ‘I thought you were waiting in my room for breakfast in bed?’

‘Oh, sorry. I changed my mind. I thought you might like some company, but I see that’s not, um, necessary.’

Everyone introduced themselves to Marty’s date from the previous night. She looked away, clearly embarrassed in the spotlight of Marty’s friends. ‘I think I’ll have breakfast in bed after all,’ she said, even though she was dressed. ‘I’ll, um …’ she pointed to the stairs and promptly disappeared.

‘Oh, dear, we frightened her off,’ commented Nick.

‘Well that’s not too hard, is it? All of us scrutinising her.’

‘What do you think?’ asked Marty. ‘Isn’t she the most gorgeous thing you’ve ever seen?’

David disagreed on that one. He said as much as he smiled across the table at Robyn.

‘Very funny,’ said Marty. ‘But seriously, guys. Do you like her?’

Gayle sighed. ‘We don’t even know her.’

‘Oh, yes. Of course,’ Marty said, disappointed.

‘But she looks a nice sort.’

Everyone turned to look at Doris.

‘Well, then,’ said Gayle, ‘If Mum approves, then I think that rather settles it.’

‘We hit it off right away,’ said Marty. ‘Know what I mean?’

David smiled across the room at Robyn. He knew exactly what Marty was talking about.

‘She should come to Robyn and David’s party,’ added Doris.

Marty raised his eyebrows. ‘I hope I’m getting an invite too, although this is the first I’ve heard of a party.’

Nick said, ‘David and Robyn are having a heartwarming – no, housewarming – and engagement party.’

‘But you moved in last month, and you got engaged already. I don’t get it.’

David’s smile slipped. ‘There’s nothing to get. We’ve been really busy, which is why the idea didn’t even crop up. But it has now. And we’re taking a holiday.’

‘Cool,’ replied Marty. ‘Where are you going?’

‘Nowhere, just spending our time together at the boathouse.’

Marty shrugged. ‘Okay, I’d rather go on a holiday somewhere, but, you know, whatever floats your boat.’

Nick laughed out loud.

Marty scratched his head. ‘What?’

‘You said, whatever floats your … oh, never mind.’

Marty shrugged and put some toast in the toaster.

Nick’s mobile phone rang. He answered it. ‘Hi Mum. Yeah, I’m fine. Yes, Olive is fine too.’ Nick held his phone from his ear. ‘Mum likes to give me a call and catch up every week. I’ll take this in the lounge.’ He walked out of the kitchen.