She’d known them all her life. They had been her mother’s best friends. They had to have the answers to so many of her questions. Before she could change her mind, she went to her laptop and wrote an email. She’d just pressed send when Rose came back on the line.

‘Eliza, are you still there? Sorry about that. So, will you stay on in Edinburgh long after the wedding? Or go travelling?’

She’d just decided what she was going to do, she told Rose. ‘You’re right. I’ve put it off for too long. This could be my best chance. While the three of us are together. Before Maxie goes to New York.’

Rose stayed quiet. Waiting.

‘I’m going to find out who my father is,’ Eliza said.

CHAPTER FOUR

In Edinburgh, Olivia was in her office at the Montgomery, phone to her ear, impatiently tapping a pen on the antique desk. Another two minutes passed before Maxie finally came on the line.

‘Olivia? Are you there?’

‘I’ve aged ten years, but yes. Where are you? I’ve been leaving messages all day. And when did your publicist’s assistant get an assistant?’

‘Sorry. I’m on an all-day photo shoot. And I left my mobile at home, again. Hazel says I —’

‘Tell me later what Hazel says. Eliza said yes.’

‘She what?’

‘She said yes. On the spot. She’s coming.’

‘Oh my God, Olivia! That’s fantastic! Did you bribe her?’

‘I didn’t have to. Turns out our timing was perfect. I’ll explain why later. I also lied. I told her you know nothing about it. So make sure you act surprised when she arrives in Gretna Green with me.’

‘Act? How do I do that? Liv, I can’t believe it! But what about the flight?’

‘She’s scared witless. But she told me she’s determined to try again.’

‘The fearless Jeannie in her, coming out at last! Oh, this will make my wedding day! Hazel can’t wait to meet her too. What fantastic news!’

‘Yes, except for one thing. She also emailed me. To ask if the three of us could have a few hours together before you go to New York. She said she has lots of questions she hopes we can answer. About her father. Jeannie.’ She hesitated. ‘Jeannie’s family.’

There was a long pause before Maxie spoke. ‘Oh, fuck.’

‘Yes.’

‘What did you say?’

‘I said yes, of course. I could hardly say no.’

‘No. And at least we’ve had warning. There’s time to work out what we can tell her.’

‘What do you mean “can”? We tell her the truth. Everything we should have told her years ago.’

‘We can’t! You know what we promised Jeannie, that —’

‘Maxie, how many times can we argue about this? We were practically kids when we made that promise. We’ve also been waiting for years for Eliza to ask us anything at all.’

‘What if she gets upset? We’ll ruin her holiday. My wedding. She might never talk to us again.’