‘The only bottle in the whole world is in your hand.’

She fingered the gilt stopper knob. ‘Don’t you … want to keep it for yourself?’

‘I never wear scent, Lo. I’m not going to change now. It’s yours.’

‘I’m not an orphan, though. And it makes me sad to think of you being one. You were sad, weren’t you?’

‘Let’s change the name, then. I know. We’ll call it Lola.’

‘Noooo. Can we?’ I could see the flash of delight in her eyes.

‘Yes, we can.’

‘I’ll never wear it. I’ll be worried about using it up.’

‘I’m sure Philippe will make some more when you need it.’

‘Really? I can wear it for ever, my own signature scent?’

‘That’s the idea. That’s what Grandad did. Bottled dreams.’

‘I love it.’ Lola sighed. I wished Ted could have seen her satisfaction.

I am dancing with Graham, who is doing his elbows-out knees-in twist and shuffle. There are dancers pressed all round us and the music is not unlike Jerry’s band but more polished and these musicians are wearing wedding-gig matching band jackets. Of course Jerry isn’t here, but Cassie skims across my field of vision. She’s in a blue dress with a long sash, and she is especially pleased with her little white socks with lace cuffs. There are plenty of other children. The two tiny bridesmaids spin with her, both of them plainly at the edge of exhaustion.

I can see Jack, too. He is occupying a table next to the wall with his inseparable friend Max, and something in their louche postures tells me that they have had a lot of champagne. There will probably be a few problems later on, but whenever were there not, after a wedding?

It’s half past ten. Mel and Jasper are due to leave, and suddenly we are all surging out and crowding at the foot of the sweep of stairs.

Mel has changed into a red dress and her leather jacket. She has let her hair loose and it corkscrews round her face and her eyes are brilliant. I see that Penny and Evelyn are right next to me. Penny is holding tight to Cassie’s hand and Evelyn is cradling the baby. Mel and Jasper have been laughing and calling out from their vantage point on the stairs but now Mel holds her bouquet up like Liberty’s torch. Jasper gently turns her so that her back is to the room.