Gloria simply looked at her for a long moment. Then she stood up. ‘No, as you so rightly say, I don’t have anyone like him. I did, though. Giles died saving me and I never forget it, not for one single day. He’s gone and I can’t change that. Doesn’t mean I can’t see what’s going on right under my nose though.’ She turned and put the nail file back in the little pearly pink case with a gold clasp that contained the rest of her neatly organised manicure set. ‘I don’t want to quarrel with you, Nancy. You’re my best and oldest friend. Be careful, that’s all. Don’t let your dreams take you too far from what you’ve already got.’

Nancy stood as well, pushing the little dressing stool under the shabby counter, littered with make-up and brushes. ‘No. I know. I’m sorry I said that, Glor. I didn’t mean nothing by it.’ She hung her head and her beautiful Titian hair swung down like a glossy curtain, obscuring her features. She couldn’t bear to catch sight of herself in the speckled mirror. How could she have flung that at her best friend, who’d quietly mourned Giles ever since that dreadful night when the bomb had killed him as he’d shielded Gloria from the blast.

‘I know. Come here.’ Gloria opened her arms and Nancy fell into them, hugging her friend tightly. ‘Wish me luck for later, then you’re going to have to go. I’ve got to speak to the Liverpool Post and then get ready properly. Just be careful, won’t you?’

‘Break a leg,’ said Nancy as brightly as she could. She hated it when Gloria left her behind. ‘And I’ll be careful, course I will.’ She gave her one last hug and then left the little room, making her way to the stage door and out into the sharp winter air. She’d hurry back and rescue Georgie from his detested Granny Kerrigan, because she really needed her family to do her a favour at New Year’s Eve, which she planned to spend with Gary. Her mind flew again to the wonderful hours they’d spent together in the discreet hotel. In fact they’d had such a marvellous time that for once they had forgotten to be quite as careful as usual. But she wasn’t going to worry about that now. Gary would look after her, no matter what, of that she was completely convinced.