‘You’re right. I’d better give Molly a call. I can’t believe she’s slept this long.’ Judy took the last cup of tea to her sister’s room, knocked and entered to find Molly sitting on the bed, sobbing. ‘What’s the matter?’ Judy put the cup and saucer on the dressing table. ‘Why are you crying?’

‘Look at me, Judy. I can’t face Jack like this. I look hideous.’ Red-eyed and frantic, Molly grabbed her sister by the arm, drawing her closer.

‘What’s wrong? You look fine to me.’

Molly pointed to a tiny red spot on the tip of her nose. ‘It must be a boil. I can’t get married looking such a fright.’

Judy looked closer. She was tempted to laugh, but she could see that Molly’s distress was genuine. ‘It’s a tiny spot. No one will notice.’

‘Yes, they will. It’s getting bigger by the minute, Judy. I can feel it throbbing. Are you sure it isn’t a boil?’

Judy looked closer. ‘It’s definitely not a boil.’ She reached for the teacup. ‘Stop crying because you’re making your eyes red and puffy. Drink your tea.’

Molly drank thirstily and handed the cup back to Judy. She sniffed and patted her eyes with a damp hanky. ‘I’ll have to wear the veil during the reception. I can’t be seen like this.’

‘Don’t be silly. A touch of face powder will conceal the spot, and no one, least of all Jack, will notice. Come downstairs and have some breakfast. I don’t want you spoiling my entrance in church by fainting from lack of nourishment.’

‘Don’t be silly,’ Molly said, giggling. ‘I couldn’t eat a thing.’

‘You’d better, or you’ll have to put up with nagging from Ma and Aunt Adeline.’

‘Oh! All right.’ Molly sighed and swung her legs over the side of the bed. ‘Hand me my wrap, Judy. I’ll try to eat something and then I want you to cover my spot before you start on my hair. You’re the only one who knows exactly how I want to wear it.’

‘Yes, of course I will, but only if you come downstairs now. I have to get myself ready, too.’

As if by some miracle, both brides were ready on time. Judy had just helped Molly downstairs, holding up her long train, when the first carriage arrived, driven by Pip, who looked slightly uncomfortable in his Sunday best. Molly had chosen him to give her away and Nate was to do the honours for Judy. Seated beside Pip on the box of a barouche on loan from Colneyhurst was his friend Davey, who was wearing a footman’s uniform that was slightly too large. However, this did not seem to bother him and he sprang down to assist Molly into the carriage, followed by Hilda. He might still be a stable boy, but he was obviously taking his temporary promotion very seriously, and he climbed up to resume his seat next to Pip. They left just as Nate drove up in the Creek Manor barouche, which was festooned with greenery and trails of pink roses. Seated beside him was none other than James, the former footman at Creek Manor. He leaped agilely to the ground, opened the door and put down the steps.