The assembled party raised their glasses and toasted Imelda’s health and happiness. They were sitting outside in the jasmine-scented garden drinking champagne and eating birthday cake. Imelda sat down for a moment on the steps of the vardo with Mabel, who had been allowed a tiny piece of cake, promptly spat it out and was now sulking until someone gave her a palate-cleansing sausage. She was also displeased with Sparrow, who was sitting at Treasure’s feet having not only eaten his own piece of cake but also the piece that she had spat out. Imelda reached for the chain around her neck and the precious memories of a birthday long ago, washed clean and bright by a simple truth. Her friends all seemed to be enjoying themselves. Treasure and Billie were chatting to Jeanie’s husband. Jeanie, who had arrived just in time for the toast, was thrilled to be reunited with Henry but kept calling him Charlie, and Esther was regaling MI5 Clive with salacious tales from her salon. Imelda had been extremely surprised and delighted when Clive had accepted her invitation on the proviso that ‘I might not stay long’, and whilst she couldn’t swear that he was exactly enjoying himself, at least he’d stopped looking desperately in the direction of the door. Imelda got up and wandered over to join the others.

‘I told Billie about our chat yesterday. She was over the moon. Have you met her yet?’ she asked Jeanie.

‘Not yet. I’ve been too busy chatting to this gorgeous man,’ Jeanie replied, squeezing Henry’s hand. ‘Come on, Charlie, let’s top up everyone’s glasses and then we can reminisce about Larkins.’

They strolled off arm in arm towards the kitchen to collect refill bottles of bubbly.

They were gone some time.

‘I think those two have got lost,’ complained Esther, waving her empty glass at Imelda.

‘I’m sure they’re just gossiping about the good old days,’ Imelda replied, knowing exactly what they were talking about. At that moment, Jeanie and Henry reappeared.

‘What on earth kept you?’ chided Esther. ‘I’m parched.’ And then she noticed Henry’s pale face and slightly deranged grin.

‘Are you all right? You look a bit peculiar.’

Henry glanced around until he caught sight of Billie and then he laughed, and his eyes filled with tears. ‘I’m fine,’ he said, ‘but I’d like you all to know that I’ve just given birth to a daughter!’

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