‘But how will we get home later? Places like this don’t have that many buses, you know.’

‘Oh, don’t be silly. I’ll treat us to a taxi. You live in Bellevue-sur-Mer, don’t you? That’s where I’m staying.’

‘Taxi prices are really prohibitive here on the Côte d’Azur, you know.’

‘Who cares? Go on, Salz. I know we’d both enjoy a debrief on the film. Phoo’s out to dinner with that monstrous Odile.’

‘I thought you liked her.’

‘You can have too much of a good thing. Anyway, I certainly don’t want to go back to an empty rental flat. So depressing. You’re avoiding your daughter and her tales of the financial times. We can spend a bit of time going through the scenes for tomorrow, if you’d like.’

Sally paused to think. It did sound like a pleasant-enough invitation.

‘Go on, Sally. You know you want to. Why not? Just the two of us? A bonne peaceful boisson à la Française?’

‘And we’re off!’ William appeared at the door, dangling an order between two fingers. ‘Table for one. Boring little man in an ill-fitting wig.’

‘One minute, William, before you head back into the fray . . .’ Carol stepped to the cupboard and took out the box of brownies. ‘What have you to say about these?’

‘Whoops! You got me bang to rights, gov’nor.’ William winced and put his hand to his mouth. ‘Let’s just say Benj and I accidentally ate half the box the night before last. We labelled the box to make sure we didn’t do it again. So there you are, girls. Enjoy!’

As William hopped back into the dining room, Carol took out a brownie and handed it to Theresa.

‘I’ve barely had time to eat today.’ Theresa took a bite. ‘So it’s just as well they left these. Mmmm. Delicious.’

She glanced at the order William had stuck to the board, polished off the rest of the brownie and washed her hands, ready to get back to work.

Benjamin rushed into the kitchen and spun straight out again, leaving himself only time to say, ‘They’re here! They’re here! They’re here!’

‘Is she really such a big deal?’ asked Theresa.

Carol shrugged. ‘She’s one of these people who everyone seems to know of, but no one knows what they actually do. Like the Kardashians. Constantly photographed. Owns some pretty important places in St-Trop, beach restaurants, disco clubs where the only regulars seem to be European royalty and pop stars. You know the kind of thing.’

What with the hunger, the relief of Chloe being back and too little sleep, Theresa felt overwhelmed with emotion. She reached out a hand and patted Carol’s arm. ‘Thanks for being so understanding.’

‘Shucks, Theresa!’ said Carol. ‘Don’t get all schmaltzy on me.’