“I don’t understand,” Pat said. “I’m sorry, but I don’t. How would anyone not notice you?”

“I don’t mean being looked at or being the centre of attention at a party because I have jewels and dresses and the bosom. Well, in fact, that’s the point. Everyone looks at those. Everyone thinks silly, frothy Miss Carruth with the—” She made a hand gesture indicating a chest twice the size of her own that made Pat’s stomach flutter. “Nobody looks past it.”

“But you— Oh. That’s the fluffy business, isn’t it?” Pat said. “You’re daring people not to see.”

“Not daring. It’s just, if they aren’t going to see me anyway, I’d rather they ignored me for an act than for the real thing.”

Pat stopped again and turned. Fen was flushed, eyes wide, seeking understanding, and Pat didn’t even realise she’d reached for her hand before she felt the soft, warm fingers grip hers. Neither of them was wearing gloves, and Fen’s skin on Pat’s—

It was only the touch of hands, for all the pressure of Fen’s fingers. It didn’t mean anything.

“I don’t understand how anyone could not see you,” Pat said again. “I don’t see how they couldn’t look. I don’t see how they could stop.”

Fen’s lips parted slightly. They were adorable lips, plump and dark pink, which was an awful thing to notice when someone was upset. She didn’t speak, and Pat couldn’t think of anything else to say. They just looked at one another, fingers clasped, and something fluttered in Pat’s chest like a partridge flushed out of cover.

Fen was engaged to Jimmy. He didn’t even appreciate her. It wasn’t fair.

The moment stretched. Pat didn’t want to break it, had no idea what else to do. Then Fen gave her a sudden, quick smile, and turned to continue walking, and Pat had a fraction of a second to feel the devastating wash of disappointment before a tug made her realise that Fen hadn’t let go of her hand. She hurried to catch up before Fen had to let go and they kept walking under the afternoon sun, in silence, up to the top of the lake nearest the house and then, in unspoken agreement, back around for a second circuit.

It was a lovely lake.

It felt awkward at first to be quiet. Pat was very happy to sit or walk in silent companionship, but many people found that uncomfortable and were desperate to fill the void with noise. She had assumed the voluble Fen would prefer speech to silence, but they sauntered on, and the minutes passed filled with nothing but birdsong and the striation of insects.

“I’ve been rather silly, haven’t I?” Fen said at last.

“Possibly,” Pat said with caution. “About what?”