They toured round their new bedrooms, all en suite, plus the spanking new kitchen for use of the bride and groom’s families during their stay. Each of the rooms was slightly different with their own individual touches. ‘I have to say,’ Sophie confessed, ‘I took a lot of inspiration from Fleur-de-Lis and went to Steph’s favourite brocante. They have lovely stuff there, it just needs a bit of love and attention.’

‘Don’t we all?’ laughed Jo. ‘You’ve done a brilliant job, darling. I wouldn’t mind moving in here myself.’

‘When the wedding season finishes, you can always move into the bridal suite!’ Sophie teased her mum.

Meanwhile, Meredith, back in the library, had opened the bottle and was giving out glasses. ‘To our beautiful château!’ she toasted.

‘Hey girls,’ Sophie announced. ‘An important moment. We’ve had two enquiries for a wedding here next year!’

‘That’s fantastic!’ replied Jo.

‘And the pace is heating up – I’ve had six emails from Nicky today.’

‘Good God, what about?’ asked Meredith.

‘That’s nothing, Sophie,’ Jo laughed. ‘Be warned. I talked to the woman who runs Be Mine in France and she says most brides send her about a hundred! Oh, and the other good news –’ she deliberately didn’t look at Meredith as she spoke – ‘Jean-Christophe is delighted to be on the catering list. Which is just as well,’ she added, laughing, ‘since Nicky’s just decided it’s him she wants to do the food for her wedding!’

‘Sophie!’ Meredith thundered. ‘You didn’t offer him before you’d checked he could do it?’

‘Sorry, yes; that was a bit of a slip-up,’ confessed Sophie.

‘A slip-up hardly covers it.’ Meredith still sounded furious.

‘Look, Meredith,’ Sophie replied tensely, ‘I have just apologized.’

‘It didn’t sound like much of an apology to me. Am I supposed to check that you’ve ordered the table and chairs, or the DJ she wanted? These people get booked up for months. Years, even.’

‘Of course I’ve checked,’ flashed Sophie. ‘And just because you’re upset about this Lucille, you don’t have to take it out on us! You’re not our headmistress, you know. We’re all in this together!’

Meredith’s face changed from expensive beige to blotchy red. ‘Except for one thing. I happen to be the major shareholder!’ She picked up a file from the table and held it against her like a medieval shield as she pushed her way out of the room.

‘Oh God!’ Sophie was already regretting her tactlessness. ‘How could I have said that?’

‘Because Meredith, who famously doesn’t believe in losing her temper, just lost her temper,’ reassured Jo. ‘On the other hand, it was a little outrageous of you. I wish we could think of something to do to help.’