Milly was embarrassed. “I know. But it was too pretty to wear. And it cost a fortune. I was afraid I’d ruin it. Also, it’s handwashonly and I don’t live a handwash kind of life.”

Nicole carefully removed the tags. “You’re wearing it tonight. So now all we have to sort out is the bag issue. You are not taking that abomination you cart everywhere during your working day. You’re going to an expensive restaurant, not the supermarket.”

“Then, that leaves the little black clutch. It’s in the back of the cupboard. Probably buried under a decade of dust.”

Nicole pulled a face. “Black isn’t great. Are you sure you don’t have anything else? What do you usually use when you go to restaurants?”

“I don’t really go to restaurants. I take my normal bag, or sometimes I just put my keys and credit cards in my coat pocket.”

Nicole flopped onto the edge of the bed and pressed her hand to her chest. “I feel faint. Are you serious? You put your keys and credit card in your coat pocket? Why don’t you treat yourself to a bag?”

“Because I’m never going to use it. And I’m not good at spending money on myself. I have Zoe to think about.”

Nicole frowned. “Are you worried about money? Is the business okay?”

“Yes, it’s fine, but you never know what’s coming down the road, do you?” She hadn’t anticipated Richard leaving her. It had reminded her of something she already knew: that the unpredictable happened. “I can’t rest on my laurels and assume the business will continue to do well.”

“With you at the helm I think it will.” Nicole reached across and gave her hand a squeeze. “Okay, I am going to stop thinking of all the bags I have at home that would be perfect with that outfit. I don’t have anything suitable either, so in this emergency situation we are going to make do with what we have, and in the fullness of time I am going to teach you how to spoil yourself. You need to treat yourself to a few nice things.”

“Things don’t really make me happy.” She’d never understood how buying something could fix a low moment. “Not for long, anyway.”

She sat down on the bed next to Nicole, who shifted to give her room.

“What makes you happy?”

That was easy to answer. “My family. Cooking with Zoe. Making popcorn and watching a movie together. Spending time with my mother and Nanna Peg. Having you as a friend. This place.” She glanced out the floor-to-ceiling window that looked over the lake. “The mountains and the forest. Just being here. I think I get more feelings of contentment from breathing in the scent of the forest on our morning runs than I ever would from a pretty bag, even if it does match my dress. You probably think I’m crazy.”