‘Aargh,’ came the response. ‘Do you know, Frankie, I am actually on my way somewhere, so I’m going to walk and talk. Sorry if you hear any puffing and panting, I’m not the most athletic person in the world. But anyway! You got my message – thank you so much for ringing back. Your agent sounded dead suspicious of me, she must have thought I was a right weirdo.’

‘She was a bit surprised,’ Frankie agreed with another laugh. There was something so warm and friendly about the way Paula spoke, it instantly banished all the nerves that had been swirling about inside her. ‘How did you track me down anyway? I’ve been trying to write a letter to Harry, introduce myself properly, but I couldn’t find the words. I couldn’t believe it when Constance said you’d rung.’

‘Well, I found you on the video we got made for the party,’ Paula explained. Frankie could hear traffic behind her voice, then the pinging of a pedestrian crossing. ‘And do you know – we really look alike, us two! I saw you on the screen and thought it was me. Then I showed my friend and she recognized you from a magazine article, and then I just did some sleuthing and found your agent’s number.’ Now it was her turn to sound shy all of a sudden. ‘I hope you don’t mind me practically stalking you. I wasn’t sure how I felt about you turning up at first, but as soon as I saw you, it was like recognizing myself and I got a bit over-excited. I’ve got three brothers, see – no sister. Until now.’

‘I’ve never had a sister before, either,’ Frankie said. ‘Or a brother, come to that.’

‘Well, you’ve got three great big ugly ones now, unlucky for you,’ Paula told her, and they both laughed. ‘No, they’re all right, most of the time. Listen, though, I’m going to have to go in a minute – my husband’s on his way to meet me and, um . . .’ She trailed off for some reason.

‘It’s fine,’ Frankie said quickly. ‘We can chat properly another time. And meet up! If you want to?’

‘I would love that,’ Paula said. ‘Can you believe it, I’m forty-two and I’ve never been to London before. Not that I’m inviting myself down or anything,’ she added hastily.

‘You’re welcome at ours any time,’ Frankie told her at once. ‘Look, I know you’ve got to go, but just before we say goodbye – I hope I haven’t caused massive problems for your family. It really wasn’t my intention. I had absolutely no idea it was your parents’ anniversary party, or I’d never have blundered in like that. Are they . . . I mean, is everything okay?’