Hugo took hold of her hand and held it gently. It was a touching gesture and Sarah almost flung herself into his arms but although she found it very hard to talk – these were painful memories – she forced herself on. 'He got married shortly afterwards, although they were both dreadfully young. I never heard from them again. Wouldn't have wanted to. He broke my heart.'

‘Most of us get our hearts broken at some time or other, you know, it doesn't turn us all into monks and nuns,' said Hugo.

She smiled. 'I know, but…' She hesitated. 'It really hit me, hard.' She didn't want to go into the details, not tonight anyway. For now she just wanted Hugo to kiss her again. Somehow the pain of the past had evaporated. She'd been holding on to it for so long she hadn't realised it had just become a bad habit.

‘The wedding was a shambles.' She smiled. 'I've never thought about it before, but I wonder if that's what turned me into a wedding planner? I thought it was my experience with events management and stuff, but maybe it was Bruce's wedding.’

Hugo was stroking her hand softly now. He seemed to have found some special spot that connected directly to her insides and caused them to melt. 'That's all over now – you can trust me. I'm not going to hurt you; I'd never hurt you.' She heard someone sigh deeply and realised it was her and it was too late to stop Hugo hearing it. His hands went up her leg and found the top of her stocking. She always wore hold-ups if she knew it was likely to get hot, and now Hugo had discovered this fact.

‘This is a surprisingly sexy secret you have, my love.’

‘It's not supposed to be sexy!' she protested. 'It's cooler than tights. I mean – they are.' She decided to stop talking and just let herself be. She didn't stop him easing it down over her leg in a caressing, stroking movement. First one and then the other stocking was dropped on to the floor. The feeling of his hands on her legs was turning her stomach to water. Her breathing became audible and he gently pushed her back down on to the bed and lay down beside her.

‘Maybe I've been a fool..

She couldn't say any more because he was kissing her, and doing it so thoroughly, with such skill and purpose, she couldn't really think about being a fool any more. She couldn't think about anything except what his mouth was doing to hers and how that made her feel.

‘Sit up,' he said after a lifetime, 'I need to unzip you.’

Sarah sat up and allowed him to unpeel the dress. The jacket that went with it had been left in the kitchen long since. She lay down again; a thought came into her mind, and suddenly she started to giggle.

‘What's so funny?' Hugo asked, taking off his jacket.

‘I just had a funny thought. It wouldn't be funny if I told you,' she said, giggling even more.

‘What is it?' He was laughing with her but was also frustrated by not knowing why she was laughing so hard.

She took a breath. 'OK, I'll tell you,' she said, as he took off his shirt.

‘What?'

‘I'm just really glad I didn't wear my magic knickers.’

Laughing and loving and later, a bit of sleeping, took up most of the night. The next morning Sarah was caught in the kitchen wearing Hugo's shirt and her perfectly ordinary knickers. It was a bit embarrassing, but Fenella took it in her stride.

‘Have you and Hugo got together at last? Brilliant! You're perfect for each other!’

Rupert arrived a few moments later. Sarah was seated and drinking tea.

‘Hugo and Sarah have got it together!' said Fenella. 'Isn't that fab?'

‘Gosh yes,' said Rupert. 'So does that mean you'll be getting married?’

Fortunately for Sarah, Hugo appeared at this moment. He was fresh from the shower and his hair was sticking up in spikes. If they'd been alone Sarah wouldn't have been able to resist him.

‘Do you mind if I ask her first?' said Hugo. 'I realise you've got a vested interest in holding the reception, but really! Sarah? What do you think?’

Sarah started to laugh. 'The only wedding I'm remotely interested in is one where I don't have to organise a thing!'

‘Suits me. I'll find the right moment and kidnap you. So, Rupert, Fenella, is there anything to eat? I'm bloody starving!'

‘I can't imagine why,' said Fenella, giggling as she went to the fridge.

Sarah blushed furiously but, fortunately, no one noticed.

‘Has everyone got a drink?' called Sarah from her kitchen. 'I'm bringing plates for the cake.'

‘Oh do come on,' chivvied Elsa. 'We want to see these photos!'

‘We promise not to get chocolate on them,' added Bron.

Sarah appeared carrying a loaded tray. 'OK, I'm here now.' She found space for the tray and Bron caught the champagne bottle that threatened to tip over as she did so.

‘I thought we might need an extra bottle,' Sarah explained, seeing the surprised expressions of her companions. She raised her glass, saying, 'Cheers!' then picked up a large photograph album from where it had been propped against a chair and placed it on the table in front of them.

‘It's been ages since we've all been together. In fact, not since the wedding,' said Bron having taken a large sip of champagne. 'Ooh, lovely fizz.'

‘The fizz is left over from Carrie's wedding. She had a case sent to me,' said Sarah.

‘Oh, she was lovely!' said Elsa, forgetting how long it had taken her star client to choose her fabrics, her design and the number of bridesmaids.

‘She was,' agreed Sarah.

‘But it must have been shattering for you, Sarah,' said Bron, 'with Lily's wedding on the same day.’

Sarah sighed. 'It was. I thought I'd sleep for ever afterwards.’

Elsa and Bron exchanged looks.

‘Well,' said Elsa, fortified with more Pol Roger. 'You went to a very nice hotel for a few days. Are you saying you just slept?’

Sarah went pink. Although she and Hugo had been a couple for nearly a month now, she was still a bit embarrassed about how dreamy-eyed she was about it. 'Well, we did go for a few walks and things.’

It had been bliss. After Carrie's wedding, Hugo had put Sarah in his car and carried her off to a hotel he knew in a tiny fishing village on the Cornish coast. He'd taken her to buy clothes the afternoon they arrived. Her shopping choices had been limited: jeans, fishermen's smocks, stripy Breton tops, Guernseys and deck shoes – and a huge waterproof coat that they nicknamed The Tent, which now lived in Hugo's car. They had walked, eaten huge meals and slept but most importantly, they had made love. Sarah had never been so happy. Even tying up the odds and ends after Carrie's wedding, which had taken a bit of doing, made that break away from the world worthwhile. A gentle push from Elsa brought her back to the present and she opened the album.

‘Goodness,' said Bron, after a few pages. 'If the gossip columnists got hold of these – although they are lovely – it would be terrible!'

‘Well, Celeb would be a bit annoyed,' said Sarah. 'Look at you, Elsa.’

The picture was of Elsa, kneeling by the train of Carrie's dress, doing something to the hem. Carrie was turning back and smiling down, while Elsa looked up at her. One of the little bridesmaids was making a face in the background. It perfectly captured the pre-wedding scene.

‘You should definitely have a copy for Laurence,' she said. 'You look gorgeous!'

‘Well, I might,' said Elsa evasively.

‘So, how's it going with you two? Are you living together yet?' prodded Bron.

‘Just because you and James have shacked up together -quite early on in the relationship, if I may say so,' said Elsa, 'it doesn't mean that everyone has to. Laurence and I are still living in our separate homes.' Then she looked mischievous. 'We are looking for somewhere though. And he's job hunting. He's had to spend so much time away. And for him it's more a matter of choosing where to go rather than waiting to get offers.' Elsa was very proud of Laurence, but she hoped it didn't show too much. It didn't do to brag about these things.