They sat down as spaces finally came free. They had been here almost an hour now. Clover felt the pressure of public scrutiny, eyes on them as they sat under the lights before the dealer. It was too easy to lose and yet she was amazed at how everyone was so ready to believe that good luck would fall into their laps.

Clover was out in three hands. ‘Ah well,’ she muttered, feeling privately relieved to be done, as Matty cleaned up yet again. ‘At least you’re on a roll.’

‘Cheer up. Your luck will change,’ Matty said, handing her some of her own chips as they got up and wandered some more.

‘Thanks – but I don’t want these; gambling’s just not my bag.’

‘Hold on to them; a couple, at least. It’s just Monopoly money,’ Matty said breezily, behaving with an insouciance that belied a thirty-grand student loan and no imminent chance of getting on the property ladder.

‘It’s not, though, Mats. It may have started with a gift, but that’s real money you’re holding there. Keep it.’ She smiled. ‘Or give it to your boyfriend. I reckon he needs it more than me right now.’

Matty gave a confused chuckle. ‘Yeah, right. Do you know how much this dress cost? It’s Chanel! New!’

Clover shook her head, not interested in the dress. ‘His family’s business is in trouble. Big trouble.’

Matty looked over and watched Julian at the baccarat table. He was laughing, scooping in an armful of chips. ‘Does that look like a man with financial troubles?’

No. Julian looked, to Clover, like the life and soul of the party. He seemed to know almost everyone here and he stood a head taller than most people in the room. His blonde hair gleamed golden under the lights; he was charismatic, dynamic, ebullient. He glanced up, as if sensing their scrutiny; his eyes brightened at the sight of Matty and he waved her over.

‘Ooh, come on,’ Matty said, going to pull her by the arm.

But Clover resisted. ‘No, you go. I’m going to go check on Johnny, make sure he’s okay.’

‘You won’t do one of your French exits, will you?’

‘Would it make a difference if I did? Let’s face it, we both know you’re not coming back to the chalet tonight.’

A coquettish smile spread across her friend’s red lips. ‘Well, that is true,’ she admitted. ‘Tonight will probably be our last night together. He said he’s hoping to come out to St Moritz but he can’t guarantee it. There’s so much to deal with here.’

‘Exactly – he’s propping up his father’s ailing empire.’ Clover patted her arm in goodbye.

She watched as Matty skittered over to Julian’s side. Whatever Clover’s misgivings, she couldn’t deny they looked good – even right – together.