Page 75 of So, I Met This Guy . . .

Raising his glass, he drains it in one. A classic party trick. Back in the day, George would drink everyone under the table, but now he’s slightly more measured. Saying that, everyone is a bit drunk and woozy, after all the wine we’ve had to drink and now the champagne.

‘So, are you talking about me?’

Theo reappears from the bathroom as I’m refilling George’s glass.

‘Oh, didn’t see you there!’ I jump as he comes up behind me, sliding his arms around my waist. ‘We just were talking about our happy news.’

‘Wonderful, isn’t it?’ Not letting me go, he looks over my shoulder at George. ‘Don’t you agree?’ It’s almost as if he’s challenging him to disagree.

‘Amazing. I’m so happy for you both. Maggie deserves the best. You’re a lucky man.’

‘And don’t I know it.’

Theo nuzzles his face into my neck and I laugh as his stubble tickles. I’m being silly. George is making me paranoid. Theo isn’t challenging anyone. There’s no weird vibe between them. It’s totally fine.

‘So, George, will you be the one giving Mags away?’

‘Oh, I don’t know about that, I don’t think I could ever give Maggie away. You’d have to steal her from me.’

‘Is that so?’

OK. Maybe I was wrong. There’s definitely a vibe.

‘Hey, I am here, you know.’ Freeing myself from Theo’s arms, I put myself between them. ‘You’re talking about me as if I’m not here!’

Laughing, I try making light of the matter.

‘And what’s all this giving away business? It’s a bit old-fashioned. I’ll walk myself down the aisle, Meghan Markle style.’

‘Show what a strong, independent woman you are,’ smiles Theo, approvingly.

‘It all kind of went a bit tits up after the wedding, though, didn’t it?’ quips George.

Poor George. He’s such a royalist. He was so excited when Prince Harry married Meghan and so upset when it wasn’t the royal fairytale ending everyone hoped for and they moved to America. No one loved Princess Diana more than George, he couldn’t get out of bed for days when she died, and he’s been in quite a state about her two boys, the princes, falling out.

‘Meaning?’

That said, it was probably a bad joke to make, under the circumstances, and I see Theo’s face cloud. Sensing the tension between them, I feel a twist of anxiety. I so want him and George to love each other. They’re the most important men in my life.

‘Just joking, mate.’

Mate. George never calls anyone mate.

‘We’re mates, are we?’ Theo looks at him so coolly, it makes my inside freeze.

‘Let’s get the bill, shall we?’ I interrupt, trying to be all cheery and provide a distraction. ‘It’s getting late.’

‘So have you two set a date yet?’

Another friend, Samir, a photographer who exhibits in my gallery, appears by my side tipsy and grinning.

‘No, not yet. We’re still looking for a house and work has been crazy,’ replies Theo, motioning to the waiter to try to get his attention.

‘Theo’s been away such a lot, filming,’ I add, glad of the change of subject.

‘Ooh, sounds glamorous.’

‘That’s what I always say,’ I laugh, ‘but he assures me it’s hard work being with all those famous actors in exotic locations.’ I roll my eyes and I’m relieved to see Theo laugh, his good mood restored.