Susan put her hand on her client’s shoulder. ‘You stop that negative talk right now. You’re lovely and this man is lucky you are even giving him the time of the day. You get out there and show them all what they’re missing, lovely. Too many men these days take us ladies for granted, so if he’s not ticking the boxes, cart him.’ She darted a look at Donny, making sure he’d heard every word. Donny whistled at the woman.

‘You look stunning, love. Like my wife said, any man should be happy to take you out.’

The woman blushed. ‘Oh stop it. I’m not used to all this attention. My head will burst if you carry on.’

Susan waved her client off and turned to Sadie. ‘Right, my love, you keep your chin up too.’

Sadie nodded. ‘I’ll ring you later and thanks for listening, as always.’

The two of them shared a hug before Sadie left. Donny kept his mouth shut; he knew it would only end in tears if he slated his wife’s best friend again.

Susan sat down next to her husband. ‘Poor Amy, that last client, has had a bad time lately. She got divorced last year and she’s not been herself for a while. I think she’s been a bit depressed. Anyway, she’s joined a dating agency and she’s got her first date tomorrow night.’ There’s a lot to be said for these agencies. A few people I know are using them to find a partner. I suppose if you work all the time you never get the chance to meet someone new, do you?’ Susan looked piercingly at her husband.

Donny tried to look sympathetic and thought that buttoning his lip was the best way to avoid trouble.

Susan still looked at him directly and kept a poker face. ‘If we ever split up, I’ll be signed up to an agency within the week.’

Donny couldn’t keep a straight face any longer – he reached over and prodded her in the ribs. ‘Lining up my replacement already, are you?’

Susan burst out laughing and everyone in the shop looked over at them.

‘Donny, I was joking, you’re the only man for me, honest. I could never love again after you.’

Donny didn’t seem too sure – he could feel a coldness beneath his wife’s joke.

‘Good, the thought of you moving on without me does my head in. Until death us do part, remember?’

‘Yes, until death do us part.’ Susan held his gaze.