‘There you go,’ Ted said, grinning like the cat that got the cream. ‘Told you. Like the back of my hand.’

He opened the wooden swing door and held it for her so that she could go in first. She shuffled inside, pausing after a few feet whilst her eyes adjusted to the gloom. The pub was full of men, all nursing pints and cigarettes. The stench of stale beer, stale tobacco and grime wafted up out of the semi-darkness, making her feel queasy. She thought she might just retreat outside for some air, but Ted was at her back and guiding her steadily towards the bar.

‘Just over here,’ he said as he steered her forward. ‘The function room’s up those stairs.’

Upstairs the air was a little clearer and Evelyn immediately felt better. The room was about half full, and she recognised a few of the outfits as belonging to other wedding guests, although none of the faces were familiar. Then she saw Jim, looking too hot in the suit that must have been his one concession to his parents. She gave him a little wave.

‘Evelyn!’ he called over to her, and one or two people looked round. This pleased her. She imagined that Brenda and Jim might have told some of their guests that the actress Evelyn Mountcastle would be coming to the wedding.

‘And you’ve met our Ted, I see,’ Jim added as they got closer to him.

Our Ted? Evelyn wondered if the two men might be related, but then Jim went on to explain.

‘Ted and me was at school together,’ he said. ‘He was a bit of a rascal.’

Out of the corner of her eye, Evelyn saw Ted pull a face, objecting to Jim’s description of him. He must have been trying to make a good impression on her. It was sweet, really.

‘But he’s pulled his socks up since then,’ Jim continued, eager to correct any misapprehension, ‘and now you couldn’t hope to meet a finer citizen.’

‘No need to lay it on with a trowel, mate,’ said Ted. ‘Evelyn and me are getting along just fine without your introductions.’

He winked at her, and Evelyn again had the slightly discombobulating feeling that she was walking directly into the lion’s den.

‘Fair enough,’ said Jim. Someone was waving at him from across the room. ‘Looks like I’m needed over there,’ he said, his smile wide at being the centre of attention. ‘I’ve got no idea where the missus is.’

‘That’s not a great start, mate,’ laughed Ted. ‘You’re going to need to keep her on a tighter leash than that.’

Evelyn could just make out Brenda, swamped by a group of well-wishers, the only clue that she was buried amongst them a flash of her yellow jumpsuit.

‘She’s over there,’ she said helpfully.

Jim nodded but then headed off towards the other group, which pleased Evelyn. Brenda and Jim might be married now but they were still independent people.

‘Would you like a drink?’ Ted asked, and she refocused her attention on him. ‘Babycham, maybe?’ he suggested.