Dinah interrupted with a wave of her hand. ‘I really do not approve of retirement. It’s a lot of nonsense, putting a perfectly capable person out to grass just because he’s not in his first flush. My third husband retired – foolishly, I did warn him – and died within the month.’

Jared began to laugh, his turquoise eyes lit by the candle in the middle of the table. ‘He was ninety-two …’

Dinah shot her godson a sharp look, then her face broke into a tender smile. ‘Gordon was such a dear, wasn’t he? The best of a very bad lot.’ She laid a hand on Jared’s arm. ‘I wish you’d settle down, darling. You’re always rushing off hither and yon. Never in one place long enough … I do worry.’

Connie thought Jared looked distinctly uncomfortable. He took a hasty sip of wine, his mouth twitching in a half-smile. ‘You know me, Dinah.’

His godmother gave him a considering look, one eyebrow slightly raised, implying she was not sure she did. Then she said, ‘I suppose after that dreadful business with Charlotte –’

‘Please,’ Jared interrupted, frowning beseechingly at Dinah. ‘Connie doesn’t want to know about that.’

Dinah turned, as if surprised to see Connie still sitting there. But with a lifetime of honed social skills, she segued seamlessly into an amusing anecdote about a visit to Monte Carlo with the dastardly Ambrose for her twenty-first birthday.

Connie’s meal was delicious: pumpkin and pecorino ravioli, lake fish fritto misto, a green salad with a dressing to die for. Dinah entertained them with hilarious and frequently naughty tales of her four husbands: it turned out Gordon was not the last – a misguided interlude with one charming but profligate Thurston being her final hurrah. Connie was so entertained, she almost forgot she was on tour and working.

Dinah was nothing like her mother, but they were of the same generation, and her vocabulary, her attitudes, her independent mind reminded Connie of Sheila. Throughout the meal, it felt as if she and Jared were strangely allied, laughing as much with Dinah as at her foibles. He obviously loved his godmother very much but saw her clearly for what she was.

It was such a beautiful night, the air crisp and fresh, the lights along the lake piercing the darkness like clusters of winking fireflies, the sky a sea of stars. They opted to walk back to the hotel. Even Dinah, leaning heavily on Jared’s arm, insisted a taxi would be an insult on a night like this. Connie agreed. She was feeling lightheaded and even light-hearted this evening. A combination of more wine than she usually allowed herself and the lively company had relaxed her. She wanted to enjoy these moments before the long slog home and what awaited her there.