Los beamed. ‘We appreciate the seamless way you brought together the various elements of this project. We have received many column inches in publications covering the trade fair as well as much notice on social media about your singing group. The design of the stands and the stall were perfect. Thank you.’

‘Yeah, thanks, Lily, you made the whole thing happen,’ Warwick agreed loudly, and everyone clapped so vociferously that Lily’s eyes burned, especially when Garrick gave her another hug and said everyone concerned with the stand at the show had said nice things.

Max chimed in. ‘How about you all go back to our place? Ona and Janice won’t be left out and Dugal and Keir will be excited to see you all. Tubb can go with you now while I help dismantle the stall and I’ll get there later.’

A round of goodbyes began, people hugging those they probably wouldn’t see again. But then Emily got carried away and not only hugged Warwick – who she would definitely see again – but gave him a big kiss on the lips.

Warwick stepped smartly back, blurting, ‘Whoa, Em. I’ve got a girlfriend and you’re not even legal.’

Emily stared at him, stark horror on her face. She stammered something, clearly mortified. ‘Sorry!’ she ended on a miserable squeak.

After an embarrassed silence Warwick said gruffly, ‘Don’t matter.’ But he walked ahead with Eddie and Alfie, looking embarrassed. Emily fell in beside Carola, chin tucked down in an effort to pretend she wasn’t crying. Carola hugged her and whispered she was sure that Warwick knew she’d just got confused really and not to worry.

Even Charlotte was nice to her, saying, ‘Boys are so clumsy, Emily. He just said the first thing that came into his head.’

Emily, though, was not to be consoled. ‘Mum, can I go back to our room?’ she beseeched between sobs. Carola sighed and agreed. ‘We’ll both go. Perhaps later, when you’re feeling better, you and I can go down to the skating rink and have something to eat there.’ Charlotte decided to join them, then Lily caught up with the others in time to hear Neil and Franciszka gracefully declining Max’s kind invitation in order to take the equipment back then walk on up the mountain.

Warwick stared after Emily, brick red, and mumbled something about wanting to stay in town. Eddie and Alfie decided to do the same, Eddie hoisting his guitar on his back.

So Lily was left to walk up to Max and Ona’s house with Garrick, Eleanor and Tubb, who huffed and puffed up the slope. It was a strange feeling to think that all the singing was over.