It was late at night when the party broke up. Roxanne left first, with her small family. Xander was half asleep as Van Dyke gathered his son in his arms and strode out after bidding his friends a solemn goodnight. His arm around Roxanne as she carried baby Eve, they left the apartment.

Bianca watched her friend as the foursome left.

They looked so happy, she thought, leaning against St Just as they stood at the door.

Serena was next, Claude and Karina having left earliest, with their kids. Karina needed to go to the Delano mansion, she said, and Claude had immediately got up.

Now Beth and Anna sat,...