‘I think Gilly senses you’re not entirely happy about it which is probably why she hasn’t confided in you.’ Cressida managed to imply that Gilly had confided in her, which Helena very much doubted.

‘Go on,’ said Helena, trying to appear dispassionate.

‘The thing is, I know it’s difficult when it’s your mother, but this could be her last chance of happiness. Leo is really lovely and has an amazing house. She’s not getting any younger and having seen that having a new life with a gorgeous man is possible, you mustn’t snatch the dream away from her.’

‘I would never do that.’ At least this was something that Helena could say with total sincerity.

‘Please tell her she has your blessing! She’s been behaving strangely lately. You’ve been so busy you may not have noticed.’

Guilt swamped her again. ‘I have been working all hours getting ready for this show.’

‘I know! And please don’t think I’m judging you, but we’re family and if you can’t look out for your mum then I will. And I have!’

‘I’m very grateful,’ muttered Helena, feeling anything but gratitude.

‘And I don’t know if you know this, but she said something about going gliding.’

‘Gliding!’

‘I know!’ said Cressida. ‘I was horrified too. Imagine Gilly doing anything like that! Even hearing her talking about it was worrying. To be honest, she’d be better off with a man to take care of her.’

Helena may have wanted to keep things between her and Cressida civilised but she could not swallow this. ‘That’s not very feminist of you! Besides, she’s looked after herself perfectly well up to now.’

‘You have to remember’, said Cressida, as if confiding a great secret, ‘that women’s bodies change. Hormones kick in and we can go crazy.’

Cressida said this in a way that made Helena absolutely confident that this would never happen to her sister-in-law. The way Cressida had said ‘crazy’ indicated a lack of control that was physiologically impossible for her. Her hormones were far too well disciplined.

Remembering she had a favour to ask meant Helena bit back any protest.

‘I’ll go and see her, but, Cressida, although I am so grateful you’ve been looking out for Mum for me, I do have another favour to ask you. It’s a bit of a funny one.’

‘Oh?’

To give herself confidence Helena imagined her sister-in-law doing a Tough Mudder – something that physically she’d be more than capable of, but would she be able to get covered in sludge to prove her fitness? Possibly not.

Helena cleared her throat. ‘This is a really odd request. You know I sold absolutely everything I had in the show yesterday?’

‘I didn’t know but that’s really good, isn’t it?’