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Just at that moment the back door opened, and Jay stood in the doorway. He flicked a switch and flooded the area in light.

Toffee ran right past him to her water dish.

‘Hi,’ Jay said.

Si stubbed out the cigarette against the wall then dropped the butt into an overflowing ashtray on the window ledge.

‘We’ve just been playing around with some tunes. Maybe you want to let Frankie hear your latest one, yeah?’ Si said as he went inside, slapping Jay playfully in the stomach as he walked past.

‘I don’t want to intrude⁠—’

‘The place is a bit of a⁠—’

They both started to say, talking over each other.

‘Come on in, it’s bloody Baltic with that door open,’ Si shouted from inside. A moment later, Frankie heard him start up a bass riff, the notes echoing loudly through an amp. It stopped as abruptly as it started.

‘I’d better go,’ Frankie said, slowly backing away.

‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ Jay said.

‘What’s happening tomorrow?’ Si asked as he walked up behind Jay, guitar slung low.

‘Ah, just a thing,’ Jay said.

Si raised an eyebrow. ‘A thing? Sounds brilliant.’

‘Frankie’s having a Christmassy thing.’

‘Uh-huh.’ Si looked at Frankie, clearly waiting for her to elaborate.

‘Mince pies, mulled wine. It’s partly for this dating club I started, Canine Cupids Christmas Club but I’ve invited more people to open it up a bit.’

‘And Jay’s going?’ Si asked.

‘Yeah.’

Si continued nodding and looking steadily at Frankie.

‘And you and Cole are very welcome to come along, if you like. It’s at my place.’

Si’s face lit up. ‘A house party? Fuckin’ A. I love a house party.’ He slapped Jay in the stomach again. ‘Shame you didn’t mention it! And it’s a dating club?’

‘Some are there for the dating, but not everyone.’

‘So not a full-out orgy, then?’

‘No!’ Both Frankie and Jay said in unison.

‘I mean, I wouldn’t say no if it was,’ Si said, leaning against the door jamb. ‘Will your sister and brother be there?’

Once again, Frankie was slightly taken aback, realising Jay’s bandmates knew a lot about her life.

‘Yes, they will.’

‘Ooh.’ Si gave Jay a look. ‘That might be a bit awkward.’

That’s what Frankie feared too.