‘Hello, everyone,’ she said. ‘I won’t keep you long. I just want to welcome you and thank you for coming. This party is just a bit of a celebration and it’s lovely to have you all here with us.’ She took a sip of champagne. ‘In case you’re wondering what we’re celebrating exactly, well – it’s that gliding has become my hobby.’ There were cheers from the gliding-club contingent. ‘As that may seem a bit surprising to most of you, as it was a surprise to me, we thought we should mark it with a party. Now I think William wants to say something.’

William got up. ‘Strangely, although I am delighted Gilly has taken to gliding, I think we’re here to celebrate something slightly different, although no less momentous.’

‘Did we go to the church service? I can’t remember,’ said one of William’s aunts.

‘William and Gilly are very modern,’ said Daphne in a stage whisper, ‘I don’t think they’re getting married.’

‘Oh, that’s very sad,’ said the first aunt. ‘I wouldn’t have worn a hat if I’d known. I bought it specially.’

William cleared his throat loudly. ‘Just to set your minds at rest, beloved aunts and honorary aunts, I do have a ring in my pocket …’

Gilly gasped. Somehow, with everything else she had on her mind, this hadn’t occurred to her.

‘Although I had intended to ask Gilly if she would do me the honour of becoming my wife in private.’ He leaned in and whispered in her ear. ‘I’m so sorry. Just say yes now for the sake of the aunts. I’ll get Daphne to explain later if you don’t want to marry me.’

‘It’s all right, William, I do want to marry you,’ Gilly whispered back, having just realised it was true.

Assuming Gilly’s answer had been positive the aunts began chanting, ‘Show the ring, show the ring.’

‘Oh, go on, William,’ said Gilly. ‘Show them the ring.’

‘I’ll show it to you, first.’

It was a large sapphire surrounded by tiny diamonds. ‘I can change it if you don’t like it.’

‘It’s lovely,’ said Gilly, holding out her ring finger. ‘Put it on.’

‘I’ve got another present but I insist on giving you that in private.’

Gilly held out her hand and everyone admired the ring.

People flocked around them, congratulating them, admiring the rock on Gilly’s hand, telling William what a lucky man he was.

Martin came up. ‘I’m happy for you, Mum. Cressida made me see this is your home now, and not the family’s. And I’m sorry for trying to get you to sell it and introducing you to Leo. I didn’t realise he was such bad news.’

Gilly kissed him. ‘It’s all right. I’m just so glad to see you.’