‘It appears there’s an existing contract with Liam where we pay for day-to-day running of the operation and share the profits two-thirds to one-third,’ Meredith continued. ‘It seemed rather steep to me, but according to the duchess it’s the usual arrangement round here, so I see no reason to try and change it. He seems very effective at what he does.’

‘Do tell him soon,’ Jo urged suddenly. ‘I imagine he may be worried about his future with all this change in the air.’

Meredith smiled. ‘OK, yes. I will put hunky but efficient Liam out of his misery.’

Back in her room, Joanna caught sight of herself in her bedroom mirror and paused to look properly. Was it her middle-aged appearance that had put Liam off, rather than the embarrassment with the rabbit? The face that looked back at her was a conventionally pretty one, hair a safe colour between blonde and grey, in an equally safe bob beloved by middle-aged women throughout the home counties. Maybe she should opt for a rebellious pink streak? She rather admired that in other women. You may think I’m ridiculous at my age, but I don’t give a stuff! seemed to be the message, and Jo applauded it. For similar reasons, she even rather admired Jackie from the luncheon club; she might be an interfering old bag, but that was clearly her attitude to life too.

She hadn’t noticed Sophie coming in until her daughter’s face appeared behind hers in the mirror. ‘Trying to decide who is the fairest of them all?’ teased Sophie.

Jo sighed. ‘Hardly. I was thinking I look so boring that it’s no wonder Dad left me.’

‘Mum!’ protested Sophie in tones of genuine outrage. ‘What’s happened to your healthy anger? This is classic stuff. If you don’t express your anger, it turns in on itself and becomes depression! You should be telling yourself you’re gorgeous!’

Jo shook her head and started to turn away. ‘OK,’ she smiled at last. It transformed her face. ‘I’m Joanna Walker and I’m absolutely gorgeous!’

If only she could keep believing it.

‘Well, you can’t say the old duchess isn’t a woman of decision!’ Meredith announced when they came down for a pre-dinner drink. ‘She wants to move out of the château next week!’

‘You mean it will be ready then for us to move in?’ Jo asked. ‘Won’t it need a lot of work?’