Puzzled, Grace took a sip of the icy Taittinger, the bubbles sparkling as she drank. ‘Okay.’

She opened the door to the dressing room to see a length of champagne-coloured silk draped on a hanger like a river of shimmering light, sparkling with small crystals.

She gasped. ‘I don’t believe it! That is so beautiful!’

Rosie stuck her head around the door. ‘Johnny thought it was very you. Melanie helped him choose it. It’s by one of our top designers. Get dressed – there’s make-up, perfume, hair things all there on the vanity in the ensuite. Johnny was hoping you’d be in time for the opening speeches. Half an hour, okay?’

‘Where’s my crew?’

‘Busy.’ She smiled. ‘All good. See you later.’

‘This is crazy. Thank you, Rosie.’

Grace stripped off and lifted the hanger, finding silky matching underwear. ‘Mel, you’ve thought of everything,’ she murmured, and smiled with delight.

The dress slithered over her lightly tanned frame, feeling like a second skin. It clung in the right places but swung as she moved, reflecting different shades of warm gold and silver. It was the most beautiful dress she’d ever worn. There were shoes that matched, casual slides with a low heel, simple but elegant. She knew all this would have cost a ridiculous amount of money. She touched up her make-up, pinned up part of hair, leaving a few blonde tendrils loose, tucked the fresh gardenia from the vase into her hair, then saw a small box and a card with her name on it sitting on a side table. She slid out the card.

You have Grace-d our Kamasan with your dedication, hard work and beautiful smile. You are part of our success. Please always think of this as your second home. A small memento.

Johnny and Harold P.

Inside the box was a pair of exquisite diamond earrings. Shakily, she put them on, trying not to cry and ruin her make-up.

And then the madness began.

After a knock on the door, Mel danced in, dressed in a short, sparkling, emerald-green dress that was dazzling yet casually showed off her long brown legs and back. Her red-auburn hair was artfully styled, and her drop earrings captured the light. They’d spoken on the phone a second time while Grace was waiting for her flight, and Mel had made Grace repeat verbatim, as best she could, every moment of The Showdown.

‘Hey, champ!’ They raced to hug each other. ‘I’m so proud of you! I can’t believe it!’ Mel squealed.

‘Neither can I, but it’s done. It’s over.’ Grace laughed with relief and happiness.

‘And this is the perfect way to celebrate,’ said Mel. ‘Wait till you see the boys! They’re all spivved up. Steve insisted. C’mon, let’s go, they’re doing the speeches in a minute.’

‘Where did you get that dress? What there is of it,’ asked Grace, admiring Mel.