‘Thanks,’ Holly muttered. ‘Although, to be honest, I don’t know why I’m bothering. I had enough of these stupid political dinners when I was involved in local politics as a teenager, and I’m about as far from all that now as I could possibly be. Why the hell did I agree to be Charlie’s plus-one tonight?’

‘Because he asked you, and you fancy him rotten?’ Rachel teased.

‘Well, there is that,’ Holly conceded reluctantly. ‘But I never thought I’d end up sucking up my politics and hanging off his arm all night.’

‘It won’t be like that,’ Rachel said soothingly. ‘He did say that there would be lots of small business owners there, like you. You might be able to do some networking.’

‘I doubt the Stavenham business owners would want to consort with the likes of me!’ Holly snorted. ‘It’s all artisan cheeseries and high-end boutiques there. Not exactly my target market. I doubt we’d have a lot of customers in common.’

‘You never know,’ Rachel soothed. She went to the tote bag she’d brought with her and pulled out a black cashmere wrap. She slipped it around Holly’s shoulders. ‘And before you grumble, it’s from that brilliant place that sells recycled cashmere accessories online, so you can wear it with a clear conscience,’ she said.

‘You know me too well,’ Holly smiled at her sister in the mirror.

‘Charlie won’t be able to take his eyes off you,’ Rachel said softly. ‘And rightly so.’

Holly’s eyes filled with tears and she blinked furiously. ‘You’re too much.’

Rachel smiled. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you risk your mascara!’

‘Sure you didn’t,’ Holly grumbled, to hide how touched she really felt. ‘Now, where did I put my handbag?’

‘It’s on the bed. Don’t forget your phone, just in case you need picking up or something.’

‘And in case you need me.’

‘Don’t worry about that – Mum and Dad are around if I suddenly have a brain freeze and Harry needs anything. You can relax for the night.’

‘Relaxing is the last thing it’ll be,’ Holly sniffed. ‘But at least it’s a free dinner.’

As if on cue, there was a knock at her door. Holly’s stomach fluttered. ‘I don’t know about this.’

‘Too late to back out now,’ Rachel said briskly. ‘You have a wee and do whatever you need to, I’ll let him in.’ She leaned forward and gave Holly a brief hug. ‘You look amazing. He’ll be blown away.’