Who is Queenie Bean from The Persian Pickle Club and what is their importance?

Queenie is the novel's central character and narrator. She is in her early twenties, has married into a relatively wealthy family, is unable to bear children as the result of complications from a miscarriage, and in spite of her marriage being a happy and respectful one, still craves friendship. Her best friend Ruby having disappeared, she eagerly latches on to new arrival Rita, determined to both be a good friend and see Rita as a good friend herself.