‘And we didn’t even get to the part where I show them my bridal suite,’ Sophie muttered plaintively. ‘And it’s so beautiful!’

‘I must admit,’ Meredith admitted, ‘I couldn’t help thinking, thanks a lot, Steph, for landing us with your ghastly sister!’

‘You can’t blame poor Steph,’ Jo replied. ‘She was being kind to us. She can’t stand her sister either.’

‘And you can see why,’ Meredith said. ‘I’ll tell you one thing I’ve learned in business. Be very clear in advance who’s paying!’

They went into the empty kitchen. Steve the builder’s merry band had all taken their lunches outside, so they had it to themselves. Jo went to the enormous fridge and got out the champagne.

‘We could always throw in the ghost for free!’ giggled Sophie.

‘And did you notice another thing?’ Meredith pointed out, laughing too. ‘No one even mentioned the bridegroom!’

‘Of course they didn’t, stupid.’ Sophie raised her glass, her face alive with laughter. ‘Weddings are all about brides. Even in this age of gender equality. Anyway – to the happiness business!’

Meredith put her arm around Jo and Sophie. ‘Thank God one of us is an optimist!’ She sipped her champagne. ‘On the other hand, it’s clear we’ve got to be practical and draw up a contract suitable for all our clients with a deposit to hold the booking. What kind of deposits do our rivals ask, Jo?’

‘Thirty per cent seems pretty standard.’

‘So, who’s going to ask Ronnie for thirty per cent, then?’ Sophie grinned.

‘Hmmm,’ was Meredith’s response. ‘I think we’d better talk to Steph about how to proceed delicately with this.’

It wasn’t long before Ronnie herself was back in the château, Nicky in tow, brimming over with good humour. ‘We bumped into this amazing old lady in the vineyard talking to a man out there. She said we could have a wine tasting as part of the wedding, and Nicky could even have a wine named after her. Cuvée Nicola! I think that’s wonderful. Why didn’t you tell us?’

‘Bloody Margot,’ murmured Meredith.

‘Anyway, the nice man she was talking to said he’d set it all up for us to try tomorrow evening. Who is he, by the way? I thought he was rather attractive.’

They both looked at Jo.

‘That’s Liam,’ she replied calmly. ‘The château’s winegrower. He’s from New Zealand.’

‘Jo, will you please go and see Margot,’ Meredith requested, trying to keep her temper, ‘and tactfully remind her that wandering about in our vineyard is actually trespassing? If I go myself, I might say something I’ll regret.’

‘I don’t think that’s very diplomatic,’ Jo replied soothingly, ‘seeing as she’s our neighbour and it was her house.’