‘Steph. I could hardly sleep last night, worrying about how to approach her over David.’

‘Hmmm. Yes, it’s tricky. Why don’t we see if Suzi takes the bait first – otherwise, there’s no point trying to persuade Steph that she wasn’t always the sweet and put-upon wife she likes to think she was. Do we have a number for Suzi, I wonder?’

‘I doubt it. I think your choice is either to go round, or ring David and ask to speak to her.’

‘That’ll give him a heart attack,’ grinned Meredith. ‘But I think I’ll try speaking to him.’ She looked at her watch. ‘A bit early yet. Let’s have that coffee.’ Without noticing, she hummed as she heated up the milk.

‘You’re in a good mood,’ commented Jo. ‘Sorry, that was crass of me,’ she added instantly.

‘Very crass,’ agreed Meredith. ‘But yes, I did have a fun evening with Philippe; and yes, I do think I like him.’

They were still laughing when Sophie joined them, her hair standing on end like a ghost in a zombie film. But before she had a chance to ask what the joke was, the doorbell chimed down on the ground floor.

‘Who on earth could it be at this hour?’ wondered Meredith.

‘Well, it is nine o’clock. That’s probably quite late in the country,’ Sophie replied. ‘Do you mind if one of you goes? I don’t want to frighten the locals in my nightie.’

‘Not to mention your hair,’ teased her mother. ‘I’ll go.’ And she disappeared down the magnificent Aubusson-carpeted staircase.

Twenty

A moment later, Jo returned with a very excited-looking Steph. ‘Morning all,’ Steph beamed. ‘You’ll never guess what’s happened!’

‘Jackie came round and told you your debt’s all a mistake,’ Meredith was tempted to suggest. Instead she replied: ‘No, what?’

‘You know that frightful woman married to Steve the builder? The one who made so much of your admittedly tasteless claim to be on your deathbed?’

‘The leading light of the Ladies’ Luncheon Club?’ prompted Meredith innocently.

‘Exactly. Well, she suddenly appeared last night. It seems there’s been a mix-up. Her husband got the money we owe them for the swimming pool wrong. Some mix-up over accounting methods. And the upshot is, we hardly owe them anything!’

‘That’s terrific, Stephie,’ congratulated Jo, trying not to catch Meredith’s eye. ‘I’m so pleased for you.’

‘And thanks to your lawyer, we might even get a tax rebate!’

‘So things are looking much healthier financially?’ prompted Meredith.

‘Absolutely. We won’t have to sell Fleur-de-Lis after all!’

Noting the fact that she still said ‘we’, Jo dared to ask another question. ‘Have you heard from David at all? He must be relieved too.’

The temperature in the room instantly dropped. ‘Not a word. Safely tucked in his love nest, stupid fucking idiot!’