‘Oh.’ Rosa felt as if someone had struck her. Her insides clenched with such sudden force that she felt queasy. It took all her will power not to let the pain show on her face.

He could have been mine …

She felt the absurd urge to say the words aloud right here and now, to make Jani understand that James had proposed to her first, and that the only reason Jani had him at all was because Rosa had said no. The thought made her feel hollow and she hated herself.

‘I have seen your clockwork creatures,’ Jani said. There was something lovely about her quiet, measured voice. ‘They are exquisite. You must be very proud.’

‘Thank you, yes, I am,’ Rosa managed. ‘I’ll make something for you, if you like.’

‘That is most kind.’

‘What is your favourite animal?’

‘A snail.’

‘Jani and I met through Beatrice,’ James told her. ‘I provided the orchids for the garden and Jani provided the snails. Have you seen them?’

Rosa shook her head.

‘There is too much to see in one night of course,’ James said. ‘Perhaps you will come back? It would be a shame to miss the snails. They’re incredibly special.’

James glanced at his wife and they exchanged a quick smile. The moment passed between them in seconds, but it was enough for Rosa to see that their marriage was completely different from her own and Eustace’s. They loved each other. She was happy for James, she told herself. But heartbroken for herself. She could feel envy and bitterness stirring to life inside her, but was determined that none of that would show in her face or voice.

‘You shall have your snail, Mrs Sheppard,’ she said in a cheerful tone. ‘And I promise it will be the most beautiful clockwork snail ever created. It may not be until next year, though. I am quite busy at the moment with preparations for my own garden.’

‘Ah, yes, Beatrice mentioned that you were opening one,’ James said.

Rosa wondered how much he knew and whether Beatrice had told him about the competition. She longed to ask, but felt reluctant to mention the Winter Garden in front of Jani.

‘I plan to open next week,’ she said. ‘You must both come.’

‘Thank you for the invitation – we would have loved to see it,’ James said, ‘but we are returning to India in a few days. We intend to make our home there.’

‘Oh.’

It was yet another blow. She wanted to tell him that he couldn’t go. She wished she could ask him to stay. But she knew she’d lost the right to do so, and bit her tongue instead.

‘I was going to send you a note tomorrow,’ James said, a little apologetically.