Sophie watched him thoughtfully. ‘You know, Meredith –’ She stopped, realizing she was acting as if Meredith were in charge. ‘And Mum. What he says about the wine tourism makes a lot of sense. If this festival is a success, why don’t you ask him to look into it properly? I mean, people only really get married in spring and summer.’

‘I was hoping to roam round the château naked when the season finishes, and swim in our own pool!’ laughed Meredith.

‘You can still do that if we do wine tourism,’ Sophie pointed out. ‘Well, the pool bit anyway!’

‘What do you think, Jo?’ Meredith enquired in neutral tones.

‘Well, obviously I’m a bit prejudiced,’ Jo conceded. ‘But Liam’s a very bright guy and I think we all acknowledge bright people should be given a shot, so I agree with Soph.’

‘Come on,’ Meredith suggested. ‘Let’s have lunch out on the terrace. I picked up some delicious charcuterie and salad from the market and some really crunchy baguettes. And no one correct me and tell me the thin ones are called ficelles. To me, they’re all baguettes. And a nice bottle of white won’t do us any harm either.’

They all sat, bathed in sunlight, looking down towards the Savarin River. Meredith raised her glass. ‘A toast: to having survived this far!’

‘Nonsense,’ Sophie amended. ‘To the most romantic wedding destination in France!’

When Suzi arrived promptly at two p.m., it was clear she had taken great care with her wardrobe in her new stance as Professional Woman. The boobs were nowhere to be seen. Leopardskin had gone back to the jungle. Instead, Suzi was a symphony in beige: a knee-length beige suit, beige silk blouse, high-heeled beige court shoes. She had even somehow acquired a beige briefcase, which she opened to reveal a huge sheaf of images that she proceeded to spread out all over Meredith’s desk.

‘I printed these out from the internet. This one’s my favourite. The theme is Turkish Delight and they did the whole venue up like a harem, with cushions spread out all over the floor.’

‘Fascinating for a smaller wedding,’ agreed Meredith, trying not to sound appalled, ‘but perhaps a bit impractical with so many guests.’

‘Especially in the hot weather,’ seconded Sophie. ‘People do like to be outside.’

‘This one’s just gorgeous,’ Suzi went on. ‘It’s a recreation of Princess Diana’s wedding. Look, she’s even got that wonderful Cinderella dress with the amazing train. I thought, seeing as this is a château, you could have a Marie Antoinette bride – you know, with a dress like a shepherdess and a straw hat with loads of feathers on it?’

‘Lovely idea,’ Meredith agreed. ‘Except that brides obviously come to us with very clear ideas of their own.’

‘And Marie Antoinette did end up on the guillotine,’ Sophie murmured.