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‘Dunno.’ Summer peered at the tiny colours. ‘Which is the most sparkly like my dress?’

A few minutes later, as Evelyn was applying her own sparkly eyeshadow, and Summer was debating on which shoes best matched her mum’s outfit, there was a knock at the door. Summer jumped on the bed to peer out of the window, ignoring Evelyn’s complaint.

‘It’s Jake!’ She raced out of the room. ‘Hurry up, Mum!’

Evelyn shook her head and smiled at herself in the mirror. Sometimes, she thought Summer was as excited to see Jake as she was. As she carefully threaded her earrings into their holes, she sighed happily. She’d never expected to meet someone like Jake, and the fact he got on so well with Summer filled her with happiness.

She fidgeted with the forest green silk of her skirt and pulled a face. It was the dress her mum had suggested she wear, but she felt horribly overdressed. The last time she’d been to one of the spring dances she was sure she’d been in a far-too-short miniskirt and lacy vest top. Though she’d been a teenager heading off to university at the time.

She’d last worn the green silky number now swishing around her knees to a friend’s wedding, and it seemed far too cocktail-like for a dance in the village hall. She knew that her mum, along with her WI friends, had taken charge of some of the events, but the step up from miniskirt and trainers to cocktail dress and heels seemed a step too far.

She headed down the stairs, concentrating on each step in her sparkly, best going-out heels. ‘Mum, are you sure I’m not overdressed?’

Jake’s admiring whistle made her look up. ‘For what it’s worth, I think you look perfect.’

‘You like?’ She turned a quick twirl on the large corner step.

‘Very much.’ His smile thrilled her. Despite what she’d told Summer about not dressing to impress Jake, she did love the admiration in his eyes.

‘Thank you.’

‘I’m going to be the luckiest man there tonight, with three beautiful ladies on my arm.’

‘Three? Thanks for the compliment, but you’ve counted one too many.’ Linda adjusted her yellow scarf, and pinned it with a sunflower broach. ‘I’m being picked up by your mother. All the WI ladies are going together.’

‘You’re not coming with us, Nanny?’ Summer stuck out her bottom lip.

‘Nope. I’m going with my friends, but we’ll see each other there.’

‘Are you sure, Linda? My car is plenty big enough for three. And I’d be delighted to be your escort too.’

‘Pah. You and your flattery.’ She swotted his arm playfully. ‘It’s all arranged, and us WI girls are arriving a little later – we’ve still got some organising to do with the food.’

‘If you’re sure?’

‘I am, thank you. Now you take care of my girls, and I’ll see you all there later.’

Jake offered an arm each to Evelyn and Summer. ‘Shall we go, then?’

After watching what her mum did, Summer copied Evelyn’s action and slipped her hand into the crook of Jake’s elbow and smiled up at him. Evelyn’s heart melted a little bit more at the sight of her boyfriend – she still got a thrill from the word! – interacting so sweetly with her daughter.

Jake felt a flicker of pride as he walked into the decorated village hall, one hand resting protectively in the small of Evelyn’s back and the other wrapped around Summer’s young fingers.

‘Wow.’ Evelyn looked around the beautifully decorated room. Summery flowers and garlands had been woven in amongst the ancient beams, and were interspaced with small painted jars tied with ribbons that twinkled with candlelight. The huge doors at the end of the hall had been flung open into the courtyard that was covered by a marquee, strung with flowers. Swirled around a temporary dance floor were large tables, draped with crisp white linens and glistening with reflections from the army of glasses and cutlery that sat waiting on them. Posies of flowers that matched the ones hanging from beams sat in jam jars at the tables’ centres, tied with ribbons that complemented the swathes tied around the chairs.

‘It’s so pretty!’ Summer sounded awed.

‘Wait until it gets dark,’ Jake told her. ‘They turn on all the fairy lights and it looks like something out of a story.’

‘I can’t wait!’ Summer jumped up and down with excitement.

‘I’m sure we’ll find something to amuse you until then.’ Jake grinned at the excited little girl. ‘There’s all the food, and music and dancing, a fashion show, and the silent auction and meat raffle.’

‘What’s a meat raffle?’

‘Like a normal raffle, but you get prizes like sausages and bacon.’

‘Yum! Try to win the bacon, Mum, then we can have cheesy bacon sandwiches!’