‘Someone’s a bit tetchy this morning,’ Kath said with a laugh. ‘Relax, love. It’s a beautiful autumnal day, and everything is going to be a perfect.’

‘Sorry, ladies, and sorry, Min. I didn’t mean to snap. I don’t know why I’m so bloody nervous, it’s not like I ain’t done this before!’

‘You ain’t having second thoughts, are you?’ Joan asked.

‘Don’t be daft. I’m looking forward to being Mrs Bosco, it’s just all the faffing about with hair, my dress, the flowers and cake … I ain’t used to so much fuss.’

‘Well, get used to it, woman, because today is your day, and we’re going to make sure you have the best day of your life,’ Joan said, then Kath added, ‘And you’re going to look absolutely stunning.’

‘I know, but you don’t think I’m too old for all this dressing-up malarkey, do you?’ Lena asked as she studied her reflection in the mantel mirror. Her hair was in rollers and she was wearing a face pack made of raw eggs and honey that Kath had smothered on her earlier.

‘Lena, you’re going to look beautiful, and no, you ain’t going to look like mutton dressed as lamb if that’s what you’re worried about. It isn’t often a woman gets a second chance at happiness, so just grab it with both hands,’ said Kath as she brushed Sarah’s hair.

‘Yeah, I agree,’ Joan said. ‘We’ve had rotten austere times since the war, what with all the men who didn’t come home, the rationing, the London smog and the slum housing round here. It’s about time something nice happened, and thanks to Albert telling you to arrange a street party, all your friends and neighbours are going to have a day they’ll never forget. You’re lucky to have a man like him, and you should be bloody proud of yourself. If I’m honest, I’m a little bit jealous,’ Joan said.

The room fell silent, then Aunty Min snuffled. ‘Blimey, Joan, that was a speech and a half. Someone get me a hankie, please.’

‘Bugger that tea,’ Lena said, ‘open up whatever bottle you can find in my cabinet.’

The women laughed, and Sarah found herself able to join in. At last she was rebuilding her life, and what Joan had said made her feel more determined than ever.