Her spirits dropped a little as she saw that the queue, which was made up mostly of wives who’d dragged along husbands decidedly against their will in the hopes of meeting a real Hollywood movie star, went around the block. Word about Blake Fletcher’s potential involvement, and really it had to be him, because he was the only Hollywood movie star in town this year, had obviously spread through Poldore like wildfire. Sue tapped the men that she had already cast in the pageant as she walked the line.

‘Not, you, not you, not you. Ethan Spires, most certainly not you, you are Joseph! Not you, not you, not you …’

‘Sue! There you are,’ Tamsyn greeted her, hooking an arm through hers and dragging her inside. ‘Let them come and do their thing, they are all giddy about meeting Blake. Surely it’s in the spirit of the season to let a whole lot of ladies get a glimpse of male perfection in the flesh, don’t you think?’

‘Yes, I’m sure that Jesus was born two thousand years ago for that very reason.’ Sue shook her head. ‘And you a vicar’s wife.’

‘So when is he getting here?’ Tamsyn tossed her dark curls, and Sue realised a little late that the middle Thorne sister had gone to some trouble with lipstick and an outfit.

‘You needn’t have bothered,’ she said. ‘He’s holed up with some Russian supermodel so he’s unlikely to notice you, even though you do look lovely. Gorgeous scarf.’

‘Do you think so? I’m taking a small range to Liberty in the New Year, mainly bridal, but some accessories too. This is one of my prototypes. I could make you one if you like, lovely teal green to set off your hair.’

‘I don’t think so,’ Sue said. ‘Five minutes with my lot drooling all over it and it would be ruined, and I don’t mean the dogs. Well, I suppose we’d better get started. Blake said he’d be here, but he didn’t say exactly when, so—’

‘Sue.’ Tamsyn stopped her.

‘Cordelia told you.’ Sue shrugged. ‘I knew she would. She said she’d tell you and Alex, but I don’t want it to go any further. Not just yet, I still haven’t told the children.’

‘Does it matter that I told Jed?’ Tamsyn bit her lip. ‘Only because I thought he could pray for a lightning bolt, or something, but he said that it doesn’t really work that way.’

‘No further,’ Sue said. ‘Look, if you don’t mind, could you avoid being nice to me, because I find it makes me less able to concentrate on not crying.’