‘I even said goodbye to Pansy and Oliver,’ she said suddenly, and laughed. ‘Very crisply and coolly. I felt rather pleased with myself.’

Chloe eyed her sharply. ‘You know about it?’

‘It’s only just happened.’ Helen was quick to defend Oliver. ‘He didn’t … you know, deceive me. Not that he even owed me that,’ she added quickly. ‘Tom Hart says they’re made for each other. I suppose he’s right.’

Chloe was making her face up now, deftly stroking colour on to her eyelids.

‘And you deserve better.’ Without allowing a contradiction, Chloe swept on. ‘Now. Let’s get organised. When’s your train?’ Meekly Helen told her. ‘Perfect. I have to be with Stephen by seven, so I can drop you at the station on the way there. Hurry.’

Half an hour later they were both ready.

Helen said, ‘You look lovely.’

Chloe was wearing a discreet black silk crepe dinner dress, the long sleeves and high neck buttoned with dozens of tiny covered buttons. It was a perfect foil for her beautiful hair, falling in a mass of rich waves around her face. Her only ornament was the diamond studs in her ears.

‘It’ll be your turn next,’ said Chloe and then frowned inwardly at the clumsiness of that. She had only meant that it would be Helen’s turn to have as nice a time as she was having herself.

But Helen’s mind in any case was on her train, and home.

Chloe left her in the station forecourt, a slim dark girl with a determined face and a bag that looked too heavy for her.

As she swung her car back into the traffic, Chloe bit her lip reflectively. Lucky. You’re so lucky, she told her herself. Then she thought of Stephen waiting for her and the prospect chased everything else out of her head.

FIVE

‘Benedictus, benedicat.’ Into the echoing quiet in the Hall, the Senior Student delivered the endpiece of the Latin grace from his high lectern. Chloe dropped her hands from the tall chairback in front of her and let Stephen settle her into her place. Around her, in a flutter of black gowns, the dons and their guests sat down. From where she sat, at the Master’s right on the low dais, Chloe had a perfect view down the Hall. The sight made her shiver slightly. Stephen’s College was an ancient foundation, and this Hall was the jewel amongst its fine buildings.