It was typical of the way the Prince of Wales habitually spoke of Eddy, and May was irritated, for she found it belittling and unfair. She was just wondering how, without damaging her new-found relationship with him, she could tell him so, when he said, ‘And you mustn’t let Lenchen’s and Vicky’s rude remarks about your engagement to Eddy and the unsuitability of it – as you are a Serene and not a Royal – distress you. They both have unmarried daughters, and Lenchen would have liked to see Thora as Eddy’s bride, and Vicky would have liked to have seen Mossy as his bride. Their disappointment is something they’ll soon get over. You can rest assured that, by the time of your wedding, their attitudes will have changed.’

May hoped he was right. Until now she had been totally unaware of Aunt Lenchen’s and Aunt Vicky’s feelings. Aunt Vicky didn’t matter too much as May rarely met up with her and, knowing of the dead-hare and iron-machine cruelties she had put Willy through when he’d been a small child, she had never had any desire to know her any better. Aunt Lenchen, however, was another matter, for May was very fond of her; and that her affection was not at the moment being returned hurt her.

Later in the day Looloo and Fife arrived to join the birthday guests.

‘Although I was very doubtful about doing so, when I learned how influenza is rampaging through the house,’ Looloo said nervously to May. ‘I haven’t visited Toria and Maudie’s sickbeds, as I don’t want to catch it from them. You don’t feel unwell, do you, May?’

‘No,’ May said, fighting down the temptation to pretend to sneeze.

That evening a skating party was held on Sandringham’s frozen lake. The lake and the little island in the centre were lit by coloured lamps and by the flickering flames from dozens of burning torches. There was much hilarity as girls were sent skidding and shrieking across the lake’s glitteringly hard surface on skating chairs – fun that even the Princess of Wales took part in. Scalding-hot baked potatoes were passed round, as were hot toddies of port and lemon, dusted with nutmeg. The only person who didn’t take to the ice was the Prince of Wales, who stood on the hard-packed snow in a beaver-collared overcoat, puffing on a cigar and bellowing with laughter when anyone lost their balance and went slithering on their bottom across the ice.

May found skimming across the ice at night with Eddy’s arm firmly around her waist even more romantic than waltzing with him, as there were areas on the lake that the lamps didn’t reach and, whenever they skated into darkness, he immediately took advantage of it by dropping kisses on to the top of her head.