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“That would be lovely.” Angus gives a wide smile.

“And it would be lovely for you to reconnect with Claire, I know how well you two got along.”

I nearly choke on my water and Claire flinches.

The conversation drifts into work talk, and I do my best to keep up. Angus launches into a story about his upcoming skiing trip in Verbier. Of course. He mentions it casually, the way people mention popping to the shops.

Mrs Robinson smiles warmly. “You must be thrilled, Angus. Such a well-deserved break after that promotion.”

Angus smiles. “Yes, it’s been a busy quarter. We’re expanding the portfolio, so I’ve been flat out. But worth it in the end.”

Claire’s mum beams at him like he’s just cured world hunger. “Veronica must be so proud. Claire didn’t mention you were working on a merger when she saw you. Was that before or after your date?”

What? A date. What the fuck is this? Her mum invited a guy she’d been on a date with to a family lunch? My grip tightens on my fork.

“After.” Angus looks at Claire.

I clench my fork tighter in my hand, but don’t say anything. I know Claire doesn’t want me to fight her battles for her, but staying quiet right now is really, really hard.

“It’s rare to find someone so hardworking and successful these days,” Mrs Robinson continues, completely ignoring Claire’s warning look. “Tom, what about you, any holidays planned? Teachers get lots of holiday. It must be lovely to have all those weeks free.”

Suddenly I remember Claire telling me about the date. The story about the man whose idea of riveting conversation involved being on the wrong tab of an Excel spreadsheet.

At the time I’d thought she was exaggerating for comedic effect.

Looking at him now, I’m beginning to suspect she actually toned it down.

I smile politely at Mrs Robinson’s comment. “It’s definitely a perk, though most of us spend a good chunk of it planning lessons or running programmes for the kids who need extra support.”

“Ah,” she says with a faintly amused expression. “So you don’t really leave London much then?”

I have no idea what to say to that.

Sophia valiantly tries to rescue the moment. “Tell me more about the coaching you were just doing, Tom. Have you been working there for long?”

But Mrs Robinson cuts across her. “Oh. Very… wholesome.” She glances at her husband. “Darling, didn’t you say the government was cutting funding for those sorts of things?”

“Probably,” he replies. “You can’t rely on public money forever.”

Angus chuckles. “That’s why you work in the private sector where there are bonuses.”

Claire’s fork scrapes sharply against her plate. “Mum, could we maybe not turn lunch into a careers fair?”

Her mother waves a hand and turns back to Angus. “Veronica was telling me you just bought a flat.”

“Yes, in Clapham. I’m keeping my old one, it’s a good investment, but I’ll move into this new one soon.”

I watch Claire’s face, but she’s not showing any emotion, except for the slight tightening around her eyes. I wish I could reach across and take her hand.

“Good for you,” I tell Angus, trying to sound neutral. “That’s impressive. What a nice area of London.”

“Where do you live?” he asks me.

“Camden,” I say stiffly.

“Tricky to get houses in Camden at the moment,” Mr Robinson says. “You’ve done well to get on the property ladder there.”

“I rent, actually.”