It's a small world.

I'd grown up in the same neighbourhood as Mark and his siblings. Mark, the eldest of that particular band of hooligans is the least sensible of the bunch. His sister Sarah is the practical one and always has been. She has been married since forever to her high school boyfriend Michael Vincent. Then there is the younger brother, Nicholas.

I'd had a crush on Nick when we were in school. He had been a few years above me, but we'd quickly become friends. Mostly ...