Charlie took a sip from the champagne flute and Ella could see her eyes were filling up, just thinking about it all. ‘Back in our times things weren’t quite like today, the love we shared would have been frowned upon, but even more so by my family. You see, my father had already arranged my marriage. It killed us that we couldn’t be together.’ Charlie looked adoringly towards Dolores. ‘And my real name isn’t Charlie Love. Every time Dolores said my name, she used to say “love” after it, so it just became a joke.’

Ella was taken back. ‘What is your name?’

‘My real name is Shehrnaz, but I always pretended I was a Charlotte, because I liked the name and I fitted in more with my friends. But then Dolores changed it to Charlie in case we were ever talking about each other and we ever slipped up. But these days you can call me anything.’ Charlie smiled. ‘I’m too long in the tooth to care.’

‘You will always be Charlie to me. The Lakehouse was where it all began, we met here on a Thursday night when I was singing, and from then on this place was our safe haven.’

‘I always had to sneak out of home, I wasn’t allowed out and I was a little bit of a rebel.’

‘A little bit?’ joked Dolores.

Charlie continued. ‘Back then, your parents’ word was law, you respected them, we had to do what other people said and what was expected of us, even if it wasn’t what we wanted…’ Charlie’s voice faltered. ‘And it’s not that I’ve ever wanted for anything in my life… except you.’ Charlie was tearful. ‘But I’m not thinking about that now.’

Ella could feel their pain.

Charlie continued. ‘My mum Navela was led by my father, she worked hard sewing clothes all day, every day, and we helped her after school. The more she sewed, the more money we had. My father had numerous prospects in mind for me and, if I’m honest,’ she looked towards Dolores, ‘they chose well for me. I married a good, decent man and lived a very good lifestyle. But for all those years, I was hiding the truth of who I was, in here.’ Charlie pressed a hand on to her heart.

‘It must have been so difficult for you both,’ said Ella.

‘Prince George was a good friend of ours; we met him here at The Lakehouse. He was our ally, he knew we were in love and, to shield us from the press, he took us away on holiday on his boat,’ reminisced Charlie.

‘The best summer I’ve ever had.’ Dolores was smiling and staring into Charlie’s eyes.

‘Until we arrived back, and it was all over the press that the prince was proposing to Dolores, and then she had to pretend to break his heart to keep our secret.’