‘No, of course not!’ replied Jeanie, holding a shocking pink mini-dress up against herself and inspecting her reflection in the mirror on the wardrobe door. ‘I’ll miss you when you go.’

Vivienne smiled. ‘Well then, it’s lucky for you that I’m not going anywhere just yet, and you can keep that dress if you like it. I never wear it anymore.’

Jeanie put the dress down. It was lovely but it wasn’t really her. Besides, her dad would have a fit if he caught her wearing something that barely covered her knickers. In Vivienne’s company she still felt very much like a girl. Although only a few years separated them in age, her friend appeared to have acquired all the attributes of womanhood, coupled with the knowledge of how to use them to her advantage.

‘But I thought that your parents were coming home this summer?’

‘They were, but now Daddy’s planning to expand his company in California and so they’re staying for a few more months, maybe even another year.’

‘California!’ Jeanie sighed. ‘Don’t you want to go too? I’d love to go to America.’

Vivienne lit a cigarette and threw the lighter onto the dressing table where it landed with a clatter, scattering the pots of make-up.

‘Maybe for a visit. I went at Christmas. But certainly not for any longer. Over there they’d be watching my every move, but here I can do as I please.’

‘And what are you going to do?’

Vivienne laughed. ‘I’ve told them that I want to attend a finishing school for a couple of terms. Learn to arrange flowers, plan dinner parties and select appropriate outfits for Ascot, Henley and Glyndebourne. All vital skills for securing a suitable husband. Mummy was delighted.’

‘And will you actually attend?’

‘I’ve enrolled. But it hardly matters. I’ve already found the man I’m going to marry.’

Jeanie couldn’t believe that Vivienne was even thinking about getting married. There was so much more that she wanted to do before she settled down, if she ever did. She wanted to travel, see the world – sing all over the world. She had so many plans and yet Vivienne, for all her money and sophistication, had so few dreams. She could only see as far as getting herself a husband, the very thing that she denounced her parents for. Jeanie almost felt sorry for her.

‘Who’s the lucky man, then?’ she joked. She assumed it was a joke. ‘Charlie? He adores you. Or maybe you’ve got the hots for Mr Mount. You’ve certainly got him wrapped around your little finger.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous. Charlie’s just a boy. He’s very sweet, but he’s a boy. And as for Marty – he’s useful. I like a man with power, but he’s not exactly my type.’

‘Well, come on then. Put me out of my misery. Who is it?’