‘Only in passing. She was more interested in that reporter, Leanne Pitman.’

‘What about her?’

‘She was the one who got the quote, taken out of context naturally, after Leanne pounced on her. Whatever passed between them has left Phillipa livid. She wouldn’t share the details, but it was something personal, and she’s determined to find out where the cow got her information. Has Leanne ever asked you for gossip to disparage Phillipa?’

‘She’s tried, but what can I tell her?’ Claudia replied, not looking Bryony in the eye.

The spa had become unpleasantly hot. Claudia wasn’t scared of Leanne, but the same couldn’t be said of Phillipa. If she had known she was back in town, she would never have dropped the not-so-subtle hint about an affair when the reporter had asked about Declan Gallagher’s private life. She had thought she was being clever. It wasn’t as if the rumours didn’t exist, but she shouldn’t have said anything. She didn’t need to be Phillipa’s friend any more, but neither did she want her as an enemy.

‘What about you?’ Claudia asked, deflecting the question. ‘I saw you talking to Leanne at the press conference. Could it have been something you said?’

‘Gosh, no, I don’t like talking to the press at the best of times. As I recall, we were remarking on what a great job you were doing.’

When it became clear that neither of them was inclined to continue the conversation, Claudia relaxed back on her lounger. Taking mindful breaths, she told herself that Phillipa didn’t know where the information had come from, and there was no reason to believe she would ever find out. Whatever Leanne’s current feelings towards Claudia, it was eclipsed by her hatred of Phillipa, and the two would not be sharing notes.

‘I’m sorry about your mum by the way,’ Bryony said, just as Claudia felt herself dozing off. ‘I hadn’t realised you were only five when she died.’

‘It’s not something I like to talk about,’ Claudia replied. She had been furious to see it mentioned in yesterday’s Courier, having expressly told Leanne not to refer to it, but if that was the worst Leanne could do, so be it.

‘I bet your father’s proud of you. Do you see him much?’

‘Oh, you know how it is,’ Claudia said, quite certain that Bryony wouldn’t have a clue.