‘Let’s.’ Breathing in sharply, she splays her hands and surveys her nails, the exact colour of the rose pinned to her dress. ‘Nice job, William. Who’d have thought it?’ She lays them neatly on her lap. ‘You know, I only pretended to drop out of your life, I’ve kept a very close track on you. I know more than you think.’

‘What do you know?’

‘You muddled along at sixth form, excelled at your embalming training. You did a brave and difficult job at Aberfan and you’re left with the scars of it. You married a wonderful woman, insisting you’d never be a father, and you walked out on her because you thought she’d be better off without you.’

‘I know you meant well spending time with Gloria …’

The door whooshes open and there’s Norma, transformed in a sky-blue silk dress, full make-up and hair in a chignon. ‘Five minutes, Evelyn.’

‘Well, look at you!’ Evelyn raises her eyebrows and smiles at her friend.

Norma makes a quick curtsy, then her face creases in distress. ‘Dear Lord, all I want is for you to have time on your own, but the car’s about to pull up!’ She looks at William. ‘You’ll come with us, won’t you? In the car, I mean?’

‘I’d be honoured – and late if I didn’t; I’m on foot.’

Evelyn stands. ‘Right then, Norma!’ The business is back in her voice as she waves her fingers in the air to dry them. ‘Where’s that daft little purse you insist I have to use as a handbag?’

‘Here.’ Norma steps into the hall and comes back to slide a small silky bag on a chain over Evelyn’s hand.

‘Well, how about this for a wedding present, eh Norma?’

‘Thank heavens for waterproof mascara,’ says Norma, grinning.

‘And quick-drying nail varnish,’ Evelyn adds.

There’s a gentle tap at the door.

‘It’s the driver,’ Norma says. ‘Nice job on the nails, William!’ She darts out to the vintage cream Rolls-Royce and stoops at the window to talk to the driver. ‘You two sit in the back,’ she calls, straightening up and running round to the other side to get into the front passenger seat.

Once they pull away, Norma starts chatting loudly to the driver.

‘So,’ Evelyn says, as the car descends the lane’s steep incline, ‘you do know this wonderful wife of yours is going to be there?’ Now they’re minutes from the church, William feels a thrill at the thought, but tries to ignore it. ‘I know what you’re trying to do, but you owe her one more conversation.’ Evelyn suddenly looks out of the window and William sees they’ve arrived. ‘I have to say, William, much as I love you, your timing could have been better. We’re there already!’