‘Yeah, I did always know that.’ Mags smiles but her words have bite to them. ‘Are you sure you’re doing the right thing? I mean, it’s a bit quick, isn’t it? Aren’t you worried about what people might say?’

‘What do you mean?’ I go cold, the word BITCH flashes in neon in my mind.

An emotion that I can’t read flickers across Mags’s face. ‘Well, it’s just that you barely know each other. There are bound to be people saying that you’re not quite the genuine article.’

‘We love each other, Mags. I feel incredibly grateful to have found Rupert after the horrendous time I had with Harry. If people think I’m some sort of…’ I pause for a moment, my eyes on Mags, looking for a reaction, ‘bitch then that’s their problem. I just hoped you at least would be happy for me.’

‘I am, I promise.’ Mags leans over to hug me, and I force myself to relax. ‘I’m sorry, OK? I didn’t mean to upset you.’

‘And I’m sorry I’m leaving you, OK?’

‘I’ll live.’ Mags pulls away, the tension easing as she says, ‘What the fuck are you wearing, anyway?’

I look down at my outfit. Instead of my usual cut-off denim shorts and cheap vests, I’m wearing linen shorts, with a silky Karen Millen top, gold sandals on my feet. Rupert had bought me the outfit at the weekend, and it was perfect, or so I had thought. Now, under Mags’s scrutiny, I just feel a bit uncomfortable. ‘Don’t you like it?’

‘Not really my style. Or yours.’ Mags raises an eyebrow and gives a little laugh. ‘Do you want another bag for that stuff?’

‘Yes, please.’ I smile as Mags bustles from the room to get me another holdall. At least I won’t be leaving under too much of a cloud – although I’m not sure how Rupert will feel if I invite her to the wedding. I still haven’t sent her an invite. Even I’m not too sure how Mags will fit in with Rupert’s friends – my friends now too, of course – and I find myself hoping that Mags won’t be able to make it.

I pull out my scrapbook, turning to the last page where I smooth over the newspaper cutting I clipped from The Times.

The engagement is announced between Rupert, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Eamonn Milligan, of Norfolk, and Emily, daughter of Mrs Janice Walden, of Boca Grande, Florida.