‘So I’m meeting him by the stage door at quarter to, because it’s quieter and we’re less likely to see anyone who knows us,’ Nancy said later that evening as Gloria expertly applied her lipstick in the dressing room before the show.

‘Surely if you’re going to sit with him in the front row, then it won’t matter how discreet you try to be beforehand,’ Gloria pointed out. She dusted her nose with the powder puff, then turned her head to the left and the right to check there were no shiny patches on her face. It was important to look the part; her audience expected it of her and she couldn’t let them down. Her beautiful bias-cut silver dress sparkled in the lights ranged around the somewhat tarnished mirror.

‘No, but I can always say he came in with the people sitting on the other side of him and we just got chatting,’ Nancy said quickly. She’d had the bus journey to get her alibi straight if it was needed. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do. She was thrilled to bits to have the chance of sitting with Gary in the prime seats, watching her best friend perform.

‘All right, I’ll back you up,’ Gloria said at once without having to be asked. ‘I do like that frock, Nancy. Where did you find it? Do you want to leave your other things in here?’ She pointed to the shabby canvas bag in which Nancy had stuffed the sensible clothes she’d been wearing earlier.

‘Oh, could I? Thanks, Glor.’ Nancy shoved the bag under a chair, once resplendent in gold paint but now very chipped. ‘Gary got it for me, of course. It was my little present – well, it was more like his welcome home present if you get what I mean.’ She rolled her eyes.

Gloria shook her head. ‘You just be careful, Nancy Kerrigan. You’ve been caught out before, remember. We don’t want anything like that to happen again.’

‘Of course I’m being careful,’ Nancy snapped, not wanting to think about the miscarriage that only she and Gloria knew about. ‘This isn’t some wet-behind-the-ears young lad trying it on. Gary’s very mature. He’s a real man.’

‘Keep your hair on, I was only checking,’ said Gloria, not rising to the bait. She couldn’t afford to get het up before singing. Her breathing wouldn’t be right. ‘Well, off you go and meet lover boy, and I’ll see you backstage afterwards.’

‘Break a leg!’ called Nancy brightly, as she hurried from the dingy little room towards the stage door.

‘Don’t you think she’s good?’ Nancy hissed in Gary’s ear, as she hung on to his arm.

‘She sure is,’ said Gary, eyeing Gloria appreciatively from their excellent view in the front row. ‘How did you say you know her?’