‘Oh really?’ She couldn’t help but return the teasing banter that he wielded, knowing it was a kindness, knowing it was to draw her out of her fears and more thankful for it than she could have imagined.

She went straight to the hurricane lamps, which would be so perfect for the orangery. But they were going to need at least twenty. She fingered the price tag and stopped, the bottom dropping out of the momentary pleasure. She bit her lip. There was no way that she had enough money in her account to cover this. She knew that Victoria and Oliver would absolutely pay her back, but …

She felt Henry’s hand over hers where she still held the price tag on the lamp.

‘I’ve got this,’ he said, as if understanding.

‘I can’t, Henry. It’s—’

‘It’s part of an event that is being held at the estate. As such, I’ll cover it because I’m sure they can use it all for future functions. I can put it on the contents and the sale price will cover it anyway.’

A sudden wave of sadness hit her as she remembered that Henry was selling the estate. That he would be leaving. Somehow, she’d forgotten that. Or chosen to ignore it. Wanting a moment, needing it, she spun on her heel, 180 degrees. ‘Oh look,’ she exclaimed as she walked blindly straight towards another display.

‘Really?’ she heard Henry query behind her and followed his slightly horrified gaze. Lily blushed more furiously than she had ever done before in her life as she realized she was standing right in front of a lurid display of … penis straws.

Her squeak turned into a coughing fit, drawing the attention of other couples about the shop, the men all seemingly equally embarrassed and the women smiling knowingly.

The bright pink display of hen party paraphernalia rose over three levels, ranging from black sashes bearing white stitching proclaiming ‘Best Hens Ever’, large helium balloons, glittering heart confetti, flashing plastic ice cubes, and the aforementioned penis straws.

‘Didn’t realize this was Victoria’s style,’ Henry said, looking mildly disturbed by the sight.

‘No, I suppose not.’

He cocked his head to one side, apparently unable to tear his gaze away from the straws. ‘They’re surprisingly anatomically—’

‘Let’s go,’ Lily said, grabbing his arm and pulling him away before he could finish the sentence.