‘I’d like her to have been here. I understand about the dress, but the best gift would have been for her to come. It’s amazing what she’s suggested. That Lars and I go to London. She’s always been like that – too generous. Still, I can’t believe she’s so busy that she couldn’t fly out for a week or so.’

‘There has to be a particular reason,’ Sarah said. ‘And I have a theory.’

‘What theory?’

‘Perhaps she’s afraid to see Anthony.’ Sarah saw the open disbelief in Hannah’s expression. ‘I know. She’s famous and beautiful and her plastic surgeon is in love with her, so George says. But maybe those things are not that important to her. She may still be in love with Anthony. Or she might be frightened to come back after what happened here.’

Hannah put the card back into the box. ‘If that’s the case she should be able to tell us.’

‘She probably will eventually.’

‘I just wish she could see me, looking like this.’ Hannah turned in wonder. ‘She’s made me into a Cinderella.’

‘Well, I’m your official photographer, so I’ll make sure she does. But you looked pretty good in your jeans, by the way. You should have lots of babies. It suits you.’

They stood gazing at their reflections, smiling at one another, and Sarah could almost see the shadow of Camilla, watching from the corner of the room. Would they ever again, the three of them together, be able to share their hopes and dreams? She reached out and tugged at Hannah’s long plait. ‘Come on,’ she said briskly. ‘We have to decide what you’re going to do with this. You can’t wear it in a pigtail.’

But to Sarah’s surprise, Hannah moved away and sat down in a chair. Tears slid down her cheeks and she bowed her head.

‘Han?’

‘Ma always used to plait my hair, when I was little,’ Hannah said, her voice choked. ‘We used to have fights about it, before I went to school in the morning, when I wanted it loose and all messed up around my face. And now I’d like her here, more than anything, to braid my hair on my wedding day. And Pa too. I wish they could be here.’

‘They will be here, Hannah, in their hearts. You’ll feel them here with you.’

‘But I’ve lost them,’ Hannah cried. ‘I’ve lost them all, my mother and my father and my wonderful brother. I loved them so much, and some days I think I can’t go on, no matter what.’