‘Don’t, Camilla, please.’ Sarah’s voice was low. Her throat was burning as though it was filled with fire, although she had begun to shiver. She moved towards Dr Hayford and looked at him, beseeching. ‘Are you here for a medical conference?’

‘No. I’ve been based in London for a while now.’ His expression was polite, neutral, although she detected sympathy and regret behind his large spectacles. ‘Marina, I think we should continue to Park Lane.’

‘Good evening, Mrs Broughton-Smith.’ Piet had stood his ground, and now he proffered his hand, forcing an acknowledgement.

But Marina made no attempt to respond, and Winston Hayford saw that she was determined to ignore the greeting. He grasped her elbow in an attempt to steer her towards the stairs, away from further confrontation. She glanced at him briefly and brushed his hand away.

‘I thought you had broken off any association with this young man, Camilla,’ she said. ‘I thought we all understood that.’

‘Well, Mother darling, you’ll have to think again.’ Anger reared up in Camilla’s head, obliterating everything around her. ‘Because Piet and I have decided to become engaged. We’re going to get married.’

In the chasm of silence that followed, Marina spun on her heel and walked away from them, her high heels clicking on the polished floor, Dr Hayford following in her wake. Sarah watched mesmerised as they reached the top of the stairs and stepped out into the night, away from the joyous, carefree evening they had ruined. She turned back to her friends, her pulse hammering out her anxiety.

Piet was staring at Camilla, his face radiant. He reached out to take her in his arms.

‘Camilla – I never dreamed you – I don’t know what I can say, except that I’ll always—’

‘Piet, I’m sorry.’ Camilla was looking at him, dazed. ‘I’m really sorry. I don’t know what made me say such a stupid thing.’

Tim turned to her in fury, spinning her round, spitting his words into her face.

‘Don’t you ever learn anything, you selfish little bitch? Do you realise what you’ve done tonight, playing your vicious games? You never think about anyone else, least of all your friends. Because we’re not important, except to prop you up in your eternal war with your family. No one is really important in your bloody, screwed-up life. Except yourself.’

‘No. Oh no. I’m so sorry, I really am.’ Camilla leaned against a table in an attempt to steady her shaking body. ‘I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I was just so shocked to see them, together like that. And Daddy – she always does something to ruin things when I’m happy, and I don’t know how to deal with it. I never get it right. There’s always a—’