‘He will be.’ She smiled with confidence at the thought of her beloved. ‘I know he will. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I just love him!’ She shrugged, as if there were nothing more to say.

Ruby climbed from the bed. ‘Come on, then, let’s get you buttoned up at the back; you can’t be walking into church with your arse hanging out, and you don’t want to keep your boy waiting.’

‘I’ve only ever slept in a room with you, Ruby.’ Standing, she turned and lifted her hair as Ruby slipped the covered buttons into the fiddly loops.

‘Well, if you want me to come and crash on the floor of your fancy hotel . . .’

‘Thanks, but that won’t be necessary.’ Merrin again felt the rumble of excitement in her gut at the prospect of walking into the honeymoon suite at Pencleven Court with a wedding ring on her finger. She imagined floating into the reception. ‘Hello, can I get the key for the honeymoon suite – it’s Mr and Mrs Mortimer . . .’

The hotel rooms had heavily influenced their choice of wedding venue. She had been reticent at first, suggesting they keep things small and within a tight budget, knowing her parents wanted to contribute, but Digby had told her that the sky was the limit, that they would gratefully accept her mum and dad’s offer, but his parents were happy to pick up the tab. He was, after all, their only child.

‘We are only going to do this once, Merry. Once! And so it’s roast beef, vintage cars and five star all the way. This isn’t some budget get-together, it’s our wedding!’ He had jumped up and down on the bed in the chauffeur’s flat above the garages, which was in the process of undergoing minor renovations, and she had laughed, kissing him hard on the mouth, as he promised her champagne on ice and a real fire on their wedding night, no matter the weather. To be able to spend freely had been a thrilling novelty. In truth, she was looking forward to that time alone with him more than the service and three-course meal and disco that preceded it.

‘Not that I don’t appreciate the offer, Rubes, but I won’t be missing you tonight. We’re planning on making the most of the four-poster bed!’

‘Wiggle and tuppence!’ they chorused, and hugged each other tight for a beat longer than was usual, sharing the moment, both aware that this was the end of an era and neither entirely sure how they would navigate the next.

‘What in God’s name are you two doing up there? You’re making one hell of a racket!’ Bella yelled up to their bedroom.