Her mother was relentless.

‘You will never find another man like George. He’s so kind and thoughtful, exactly the sort of husband I would choose for you.’

And after one particularly excruciating Sunday lunch at home, she asked across the dining room table, ‘I can’t believe you have never married, George. But then, maybe you haven’t met the right girl.’

Marion’s embarrassment was obvious, but George took the question in his stride. ‘Actually, Maggie, I was married once, a long time ago. I am divorced.’

‘Oh,’ Maggie said, taken aback. ‘Any children?’

‘No.’

Maggie rallied. ‘Well, that’s a blessing.’ Then added hurriedly, ‘That is, did you want a family?’

He furrowed his brow and he said with sincerity, ‘I would dearly love a family, but who would want a man like me? I’m in my mid-forties and I know I have very little to offer a woman who is young enough to have children.’

‘Robert and I would so love to be grandparents.’

Robert was as uncomfortable with this conversation as his daughter and drew a line under it. ‘Why don’t we clear the table, Maggie, and make some tea?’

Left on her own with George, Marion apologized. ‘I wish mother wouldn’t talk so freely about things she shouldn’t.’

‘Why shouldn’t she?’ George asked her. ‘She wants the best for you.’

‘Well, I hate it.’

He was quiet for a moment, looking at her across the table. ‘Do you want to be married?’

She flushed. ‘Goodness, what a question.’

‘I think you would make a wonderful wife and mother.’

Her heart jumped in her chest. What was he asking?

Before she could think of a response, he said, ‘I know how fond of you the little Princesses are, but don’t you ever think about looking after your own children, rather than someone else’s?’

She glanced towards the kitchen, terrified her mother would be listening in. Then she looked back at him with pleading eyes. ‘Please, George, can we change the subject?’

‘I know I’m sixteen years older than you, but we are friends … I hope?’

‘Yes.’

He took her hand. ‘You see, there’s something I want to ask you.’

Was this it? Was he going to propose?

She had thought about this moment many, many times, so why was she frightened? She knew she loved George, but this was unexpected, too sudden. She wouldn’t know how to answer him. It was all too soon and not how she had imagined, and anyway how could she stay in London if she said yes? Her life would change irrevocably and she wasn’t ready. She felt suddenly hot and sick. The timing was all wrong. She thought she might throw up.

‘George, I am sorry, but I’m not feeling very well.’

His eyes were full of concern. ‘I have upset you.’

She took her hand from under his and stood up. ‘It’s not you. I just need to lie down.’

She needed to leave before she was sick in front of him.