The toast was drunk, Peggy relaxed, and as Doris chatted to Anne, she turned to Suzy for a lovely long catch-up.

‘Ladies! How wonderful to find so many beautiful ladies all in one place!’

Doris twisted round and glared at the enormous man with the waxed moustache who was making his way slowly into the room on two walking sticks. ‘This is a private party,’ she said frostily.

He ignored her admonishment completely, took her hand and kissed it, his brown eyes regarding her with great amusement. ‘Baron Stanislaw Kowalcyzk at your humble service, dear lady.’

There were stifled giggles from the others and Doris went scarlet. ‘I doubt you were ever humble, Baron,’ she stuttered, retrieving her hand and not daring to look him in the eye. She’d heard rumours about this man, and it was clear he was an absolute terror with women.

‘That is probably so,’ he agreed and smiled. ‘But I have come to wish the bride the very best of happiness for tomorrow and all her life – and to buy you all champagne.’

Doris cleared her throat. ‘That’s very kind of you, Baron, but it’s really not necessary.’

His dark eyes widened and he clasped her hand again. ‘Oh but it is, and for such a beautiful bride only the very best champagne will do.’

He nodded to the hovering waiter who popped the cork expertly and began to pour the champagne into glasses.

Once everyone had a glass, he took one for himself. ‘To the future Mrs White. Long life and much happiness,’ he bellowed before downing it in one, and only just resisting the time-honoured ritual of smashing the glass onto the floor.

Danuta tutted and rolled her eyes, Doris blushed an even deeper scarlet and the others just about managed to stifle their giggles enough to return the toast and sip the delicious champagne.

‘I will leave you now,’ he said grandly, before winking at Danuta. ‘But I shall see you again.’

‘Good heavens,’ breathed a flustered Doris once he was out of earshot. ‘Who on earth was that? Is he really a baron?’

‘He is Polish baron,’ said Danuta, her eyes twinkling with mirth. ‘He is very loud, I think, but has good heart and the manners of all Polish gentlemen.’

‘Gosh,’ said Doris, hugely impressed. ‘A real baron living in Cliffehaven. Who would have thought it?’ She eyed Danuta sharply. ‘How did you get to meet him?’

‘At Rita’s wedding,’ said Danuta rather coolly. ‘He is my friend.’

‘Well, I never,’ sighed Doris before taking another sip of champagne to steady her racing pulse. She’d never met a baron before, and to think that he was Danuta’s friend was quite extraordinary, for the girl didn’t have much going for her. She would invite him to dinner once they’d returned from their honeymoon, she decided. But what on earth did one feed Polish royalty? She’d have to go to the library and do some research.

The mood lightened and once the bottle of champagne was empty, they were presented with another, compliments of the baron, who they could hear talking and laughing in the bar.