Gilly shook her head. ‘You are such a child. No, it’s not just of Ezra, yes, you are still in it, and the answer to the first question is maybe, if you behave yourself and stop pestering. All right?’ She finished securing her portfolio and took a deep breath. ‘Well, that’s it. I’m ready to go.’

Despite her mild ire, Edie felt her heart expand. ‘Don’t be nervous,’ she said. ‘You’re going to pass with flying colours.’

Gilly snorted a derisive laugh. ‘How would you know? Didn’t we just get through discussing the fact that you haven’t seen it?’

Edie stopped Gilly with a hand on her arm as she went to pass her by. ‘Hey,’ she said. ‘I know, because there’s no way you can fail. Gilly, you’re a fantastic artist, and the way you’ve progressed over the past months has been extraordinary. This is the start of a fantastic new chapter for you. I know it is.’

Gilly blinked and for a moment Edie thought she was about to cry. Then the girl sniffed. ‘You,’ she said, ‘are getting soft in your old age.’

Once they’d dropped off the portfolio in Great Dunbar, they decided to go somewhere for lunch. Rachel had told Gilly to take the whole day off and so they found a parking spot on the outskirts and walked into town. Edie found her spirits soaring. For the first time in her life, she felt as if everything were finally coming together. It’s about time, she thought.

‘What?’ Gilly asked, giving her a strange look.

‘What do you mean, what?’

‘You’re grinning to yourself like a loon.’

‘Would you prefer I walk around with a face like a slapped arse?’

‘No, I’m just surprised you’re breaking the habit of a lifetime, that’s all.’

‘I’m happy,’ Edie said simply. ‘That’s all. I’m… happy.’

Gilly smiled. ‘Hey – since you’re in such a good mood, why don’t we pop into the bridal shop while we’re here?’

Edie groaned, although it was mostly for show. Suddenly the idea of shopping for an actual wedding dress didn’t seem like the worst thing on earth after all. ‘Really? Do I have to?’

‘Just a quick look, that’s all,’ Gilly promised. ‘You never know – maybe the perfect dress is right here under your nose, waiting for you.’

Edie allowed herself to be led towards the town’s single bridal shop, which rather than being on the high street was tucked down a narrow lane off the main drag. She wasn’t particularly encouraged by the dress in the window, a wedding cake confection of tiered tuille and a stiff boned bodice that looked like something she might have worn in black in the 1960s, though without the skirt and definitely not for a wedding.

‘Ugh,’ she said, as Gilly headed for the door. ‘I think I’ve changed my mind.’

‘Nope,’ Gilly said, grabbing her wrist. ‘You’re not wriggling out of it now.’

Inside, there was soft classical music playing amid fake Grecian columns and shades of cream. Edie knew instantly that she was far too old for anything in this place. She tried to turn back towards the door, but Gilly still had hold of her and tightened her grip. A woman appeared from the back room, exquisitely made up and with perfectly coiffed hair. She looked as if she was in her thirties and probably spent her time viciously taking apart the looks of every woman she passed in the street. Edie felt her back going into spasm.