Jean-Christophe’s darkly handsome face invaded her thoughts. Apart from his obvious good looks, there was something grounded and thoughtful about him that made you feel he was a man to be trusted.

She dressed quickly and went down to the kitchen to make tea for Ronnie, Lara and the bridesmaids. She then assembled secateurs and fixing wire so they could decorate the wedding pavilion, since Ronnie had announced that this was definitely not in her brief.

Looking into the small dining room, she was relieved to see that Jean-Christophe’s staff had already laid out croissants, pains au chocolat, fresh fruit and orange juice for the guests. Moving on, she went down to the dungeons and switched on all the lights. The job was near-impossible without Ronnie, but how the hell would she ever get her up? Then she had the brainwave of ringing Steph, who promised to be there as soon as she could.

Fifteen minutes later, Lara and the bridesmaids descended the big staircase and trooped out onto the terrace in their short silk wraps, to the delight of the unreconstructedly French delivery drivers who were unloading the elegant gilt chairs for the wedding feast.

‘OK,’ Lara enquired. ‘What do you want us to do?’

‘The very best thing would be to get your mother up,’ replied Sophie. ‘Steph’s on her way too. Where’s the bride? Having a nice cup of tea in bed?’

‘Gone for a walk down by the river.’

They looked out to see Nicky on the riverbank, bending down to pet Nelly.

‘OK,’ replied Lara. ‘I’ll take on Mum. If you could provide me with a cup of the strongest possible black coffee?’

Down by the river, Meredith watched as Nicky stripped off her wrap proclaiming that she was the BRIDE, revealing a bikini underneath. ‘It suddenly seemed romantic to swim on the morning of my wedding,’ she explained. ‘After all, I get hair and make-up later, so I can get as wet as I like.’

‘I quite understand,’ Meredith replied. ‘I used to swim here when I was a child. One of the reasons I bought the château.’

‘Why don’t you come in, then?’

‘I haven’t got a bathing suit on.’

‘No one’s watching apart from your dog, and I doubt she’d mind.’

Meredith laughed and quickly removed her top and slacks, revealing a smart lacy bra and pants. Ignoring the muddy edges, she moved confidently through the reeds and plunged into the deep water. Nelly decided it was a great game and followed.

‘Why didn’t you ever get married?’ Nicky suddenly asked. ‘I mean, you’re very attractive with pots of money.’

‘I think maybe that was the problem,’ Meredith grinned. ‘I think I scared men off. Either that, or I couldn’t find anyone as nice as my father.’ She studied the pretty, slightly anxious face next to hers in the water. ‘You’re not getting cold feet or anything?’