Vivienne sighed impatiently. ‘This flat costs a fortune. Without Daddy’s allowance I’d barely be able to afford some squalid bedsit. And besides, we made a deal. I could have a couple of years’ freedom in Brighton so long as I went home afterwards and made a “suitable marriage”.’

‘But you don’t have to! They can’t make you.’ Jeanie was at a loss to understand Vivienne’s uncustomary compliance.

‘Oh Jeanie. You’re such an innocent. Has it never occurred to you that I might want to go home? Perhaps I want a nice, comfortable life, with a big mansion, cocktail parties, country house weekends and holidays in Scotland and the south of France.’

‘And you’d be willing to settle for a bull for a husband to get it?’

‘Plenty of women do.’

‘What about love? You told me that you loved Cillian.’

Vivienne went to light another cigarette, but then thought better of it. Instead she pointed at the television screen. ‘Do you think those two are in love?’

‘Well, they seem happy enough.’

Vivienne shook her head. ‘It’s not a fairy tale. It’s real life. He will have been thoroughly vetted and given the Queen’s stamp of approval, and Princess Anne will have decided that he will do well enough as a husband. It’s not about love – it’s about lineage.’

‘What happened to your escape plan? The one you told me about when I first met you?’

‘Perhaps I realised that I didn’t need one. Perhaps I grew up.’

Jeanie studied her friend’s face – make-up free with dark circles daubed beneath her grey eyes – and she saw barely more than a girl. A girl she pitied.

‘You could come to us for Christmas, if you like?’

Vivienne smiled wryly. ‘That’s very kind, but I can’t imagine I’d be very welcome.’

‘Well, I’ll come over on Christmas Eve if I’m not working.’

Jeanie only wished that there was more that she could do.

Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Now