Oh God, was I doing the right thing? Perhaps I should have just started with going to a few more local cafés on my own or something. But no, my first flotations back into society had to be a party held by an earl at the local manor and a major film premiere. I certainly didn’t do things by half.

‘I’d better be getting off.’ Poppy slipped on a light jacket as we got to the bottom of the stairs. ‘You both look absolutely gorgeous – and look even better together!’ She gave a wicked grin and hugged each of us, air kissing me so as not to ruin my make-up and giving Jack a big smacker on the cheek.

‘Thanks for everything, Poppy.’ I took her hand. ‘I couldn’t have done this without you.’

‘I’m thrilled to have been part of it all. Felix and I are so proud of you. We know it’s hard, but you’re doing it and that’s brilliant, and it’s what you deserve.’ She opened her mouth to say something else, but I held up my free hand.

‘You have to stop now, otherwise I’m going to cry and I’ll really end up looking like the kid in that GIF I sent you, despite all of Jemima’s hard work.’

Poppy laughed, a tear rolling down her own cheek. ‘OK, OK. I’ll stop but I can’t wait to hear about it all when you get back.’ She blew us more kisses and headed out to her car.

23

‘I suppose we ought to get ready to go too. Do you think we should wait outside?’ I peered up the drive, turning back as Jack took my hand.

‘Just a second. I’ve got something for you.’

‘For me? What for?’

‘For tonight. For whenever.’ He pulled a small box with the word Cartier on the top from his inside jacket pocket. I looked from the box to his face and then back down at the box.

‘I don’t understand…’

‘Don’t worry,’ he smiled softly, a gentle laugh in his voice. ‘This is just a friend giving another friend a gift to thank her for her kindness in taking him in when he knows she really didn’t want to.’

I pulled a face, but the smile broke through. Jack grinned.

‘I know it’s been an imposition and I’ve overstepped the mark with certain comments I’ve made about how you’ve chosen to live your life, but we seem to have got past that, for which I’m very grateful. I’d always rather be honest with you, but I hope you know that whatever I’ve said in the past and whatever I might say in the future, I never, ever mean to hurt you. I know this is a massive step for you tonight and that it was a huge step for you to come to my parents’ place for that party, but your support that evening meant a lot. I knew you were there and that gave me strength. So, I hope, tonight, that I can do that for you. And this is just a little token of appreciation to say thank you for everything that you’ve done and for being brave.’