‘And quite right, too,’ Dulcie said. ‘You deserve it.’

She waited for the jealous pangs to kick in. Here was Grace, living Dulcie’s dream, getting married in her perfect dress and marrying her perfect man. Once upon a time she would have been so enraged with bitterness and spite she would not have been able to look at her.

But now she realised that wasn’t what she wanted at all. All the stylish dresses and smart addresses in the world simply didn’t matter.

Now she had Sam, she couldn’t imagine wanting anything more.

Grace turned to her, eyes misty with tears. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘You’ve made me look beautiful.’

Dulcie smiled at her friend, genuinely happy for her. ‘You are beautiful,’ she said. ‘Come on, now. Let’s go and get you married.’

The morning after the wedding, Anna, Dulcie, Miriam and Mary caught the train back to London together. The glorious wintry sunshine that had shone down on Grace’s big day had given way to a dreary dark sky and an icy wind that lashed the train windows with sleet.

‘I’m so glad it wasn’t like this yesterday,’ Mary said, pressing her nose against the glass. ‘It would have spoiled Duffield’s day.’

‘I don’t think anything could have spoiled her day,’ Anna said. Grace’s smile as she walked down the aisle could have lit up the dullest weather.

‘You’re right.’ Mary sighed. ‘Wasn’t it a beautiful wedding? That little chapel was exquisite, didn’t you think?’

‘It was a bit small,’ Miriam said.

‘And such a good idea to have those garlands of evergreen everywhere instead of flowers,’ Mary went on, ignoring her.

‘I’d never get married in the middle of winter,’ Miriam declared. ‘It’s far too dreary.’

Anna caught Dulcie’s eye across the train carriage and they both smiled.

‘Come off it, Trott. You’d get married in the middle of a snowstorm if it meant you ended up with a ring on your finger!’ Dulcie said.

‘Duffield looked beautiful, didn’t she?’ Anna put in quickly, sensing an argument looming. It was a long way back to London and she didn’t particularly want to listen to their bickering.

‘Until she tripped over her train and went flying!’ Miriam snorted.

‘But did you see how Robert caught her in his arms?’ Dulcie said. ‘It was so romantic.’

Miriam turned to Dulcie, her mouth pursing. ‘You know, you’re taking it very well, considering Duffield has married your man,’ she said.

Dulcie blushed. ‘He wasn’t my man,’ she mumbled.

‘Really? It wasn’t so long ago that you were telling everyone you were going to marry him!’

‘Why does she need Robert Logan when she has a fiancé of her own?’ Anna said.

‘Exactly.’ Dulcie looked down at the engagement ring on her left hand, as if to reassure herself it was still there.

Miriam looked at the ring. ‘Duffield’s was twice as big as yours,’ she commented unkindly.

‘At least I’ve got one,’ Dulcie snapped back.

Anna stifled a sigh and let her gaze drift towards the water drops streaming down the window as the sniping commenced. In spite of her best efforts, it seemed as if Dulcie and Miriam were determined to argue all the way back to London.