‘Cillian Byrne.’

Jeanie laughed. ‘Cillian? He’s a fairground attraction. Your parents would never let you marry him!’

‘I thought you liked him.’ Vivienne’s voice was cold and quiet.

‘I do. I think he’s amazing. But I can’t imagine him ever getting married. I don’t think he’s the type. But if he did, it would be to someone more like him. Someone like . . .’ The words dried in Jeanie’s throat as she caught sight of Vivienne’s face, set rigid with anger and determination.

‘Someone like Gypsy Burova?’ she sneered. ‘Trust me, that’s never going to happen. Haven’t you seen the way he looks at me?’

He looks at you the way most men do, Jeanie thought, but she remained silent, smarting at the insulting way that Vivienne spoke about Imelda.

‘It’s obvious that he likes me, and I fully intend to make him mine whatever it takes. I can’t bear the thought of being married to some rich, boring City drip who wants a pretty, well-behaved wifey to dangle on his arm, decorate his dinner parties and defer to him in bed. I want excitement and freedom – and Cillian Byrne. And I’m going to have him.’

Jeanie was astonished at her friend’s naivety, or maybe it was simply ego. Vivienne was so accustomed to having her own way that perhaps it never occurred to her that love wasn’t something that could be acquired at will. Jeanie was also a little afraid of exactly how far Vivienne would go to get what she wanted.

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

1973

‘Happy Birthday to you!’

Imelda and Grisha had arrived at Larkins for an afternoon of readings only to be waylaid in the entertainment lounge by their friends, who were surrounding a large cake and waving a birthday banner and balloons.

‘From all of us!’ Ruby handed her a card and a beautiful bouquet of cream and pink roses and freesias trailing streamers of coloured ribbons.

‘How did you know?’ Imelda was as pink as the roses with surprise and delight.

‘I’m afraid Shunty-Mae spilled the beans to Diamond,’ Ruby replied. They all sang ‘Happy Birthday’, led by Jeanie and accompanied on the piano by Charlie.

‘Make a wish!’ Sara-Jade held up the cake for Imelda to blow out the candles.

‘Where’s Marty?’ joked Imelda as Ruby cut the cake.

‘He’s sulking in his office, I expect. He still hasn’t forgiven us for his inadvertent broadcast. But at least his behaviour has improved.’

‘About time too!’ Dolly and Daisy spoke in unison as they helped themselves to tiny slivers of cake.

‘Come on, ladies,’ said Sara-Jade, spooning more cake onto their plates. ‘You need to keep your strength up for all that swimming.’