It was a small gathering. The girls’ Nanny and Grandpa were away on the first of their ‘winter sun’ European holidays, as much as Jean Baxter protested that it was barely even autumn and there were plenty of sunny days left to enjoy in England. But they weren’t having it, and had jetted off the Mediterranean.

Jessa had always been allowed to bring a friend to Audrey’s birthday parties, because the sisters’ age difference was vast enough that their parents wanted to make sure Jessa had somebody near her own age to talk to. Even as Jessa grew older and ever-more capable of conversation, so the tradition continued, and Maggie and Flynn had been invited to the dinner.

After Mrs Baxter’s three course meal of prawn cocktail, followed by a pork roast, followed by a cheese and grape plate, the group retired to the living room for an evening of board games and dessert. And then, as is the case with any great party, it seemed to be over as soon as it began.

It was the first time that Jessa’s friends had experienced Mr Fletcher outside of school, as Audrey’s boyfriend, and while it was a little awkward at first when he insisted that, given the circumstances, they should call him Hugo, they quickly warmed up to him being around, and it turned out that he was great fun, and much to everyone’s surprise, harboured a hidden talent for charades.

By 11 pm, Hugo was the only remaining guest. Mr and Mrs Baxter said goodnight and went upstairs to bed, leaving Hugo, Jessa and Audrey watching an old horror movie in the living room.

“Excuse me,” Audrey stood up from the sofa. “Just popping to the facilities.”

Hugo and Jessa listened as her footsteps dissolved up the carpeted staircase and into the bathroom.

“I hope this wasn’t weird for you,” Hugo said quietly in his girlfriend’s absence.

“I thought it would be, but it was fine,” Jessa smiled. “You’re actually kind of cool, I suppose.”

“Good,” he replied. “Because I like Audrey a lot, so I’m glad I can hang out with you and your parents like this.”

“What’s your family like?” Jessa enquired.

“We’re not a close a family.”

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“Nope. Just me.”

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-eight.”

“Where did you teach before Winsbury?”

Audrey’s footsteps got closer as she came back down the stairs.

“Right before getting the Winsbury job I was based not too far away, elsewhere in London.” He turned back to the television. “I just realised I’ve seen this film before.”

And before Jessa could probe more into his personal life, Audrey was back in the room, and somehow it seemed inappropriate to continue questioning Hugo in front of her.