‘Then we’ll make it a regular treat. I used to come here with Phillipa all the time.’

This wasn’t news to Claudia. She had heard Phillipa mention her twice-monthly rejuvenating sessions, and had made a point of asking questions, fishing for an invite that never came. It was one of the many pitiful attempts she had made to gain Phillipa’s favour. To think she had been Claudia’s role model once, but not any more. It wouldn’t be long before they were saying, ‘Phillipa who?’

‘Have you spoken to her? Did you know she was coming home?’

‘I had no idea,’ Bryony said, her words clipped. ‘I had to read it in the paper like everyone else.’

The Courier had broken the news of Phillipa’s return and, although it was no more than a couple of lines about her surprise attendance at the memorial service, it hadn’t been complimentary.

‘I can’t believe she sneaked into the crowd,’ Claudia said. ‘She was asking for trouble.’

‘Oh, one shouldn’t underestimate Phillipa. She might look like a shadow of her former self, but she’s made of sterner stuff.’

Claudia turned her head so fast her neck hurt. There had been no recent photos to accompany Phillipa’s mention in the paper. ‘You’ve seen her?’

‘She paid me a visit yesterday,’ Bryony said. She sounded as if she were gloating to have received the honour. Despite everything, she still wanted to be one of Phillipa’s chosen ones. ‘She apologised to me for not being in touch.’

‘How is she?’ asked Claudia, concern etched into her features with the precision of a sculptor’s chisel.

‘Restless, I think.’

‘So she’s not planning on staying?’ Claudia asked hopefully.

‘She and Robert would normally wait until the boys are home from school before setting off on their winter break,’ Bryony said, as if it were normal practice for a school run to span a whole term. ‘But she wants to leave as soon as possible.’

Phillipa’s return to exile couldn’t come too soon in Claudia’s opinion. She didn’t relish the prospect of their paths crossing. If anyone could make Claudia feel like a fake, it was her. ‘Justin thinks they’ll eventually sell up and move for good.’

‘He might be right. There’s nothing left for her here. She likes a cause to champion, but she can’t do that now that you’ve cornered the market.’

‘You make it sound like I’ve ousted her. That was never my intention.’

‘I’m not sure Phillipa sees it that way,’ Bryony replied. She laughed. ‘Don’t look so worried, I’m only playing with you. If anything, Phillipa was impressed with the show you put on.’

Claudia pressed a hand to her throat. She could feel the sudden rush of blood heating up her skin. ‘You talked about me?’