Olivia regarded Molly with a cold and disapproving stare.

‘The education at Appleworth was perfectly adequate,’ she said, ‘but it’s unsettling for Joanna to see the girl in the valley. She feels guilty. It’s a terrible strain. While she’s still Cassandra’s legal guardian there’s always the possibility that she will do something stupid, decide even to try to care for the girl herself. That would be disastrous for everyone. Her marriage would never stand the stress. So we persuaded Joanna that it might be better for Cassandra to be at a school with excellent resources in Dorset. It would be less distressing for everyone that way.’

‘But why now?’ Molly persisted. ‘I can see that the situation isn’t ideal, but it’s worked well enough for all these years. It would work better, of course, if the thing were out in the open. Then Joanna could visit her daughter, get to know her. The Liddles wouldn’t mind that. But at least the present arrangement gives Cassie a degree of stability. Why change things so radically now?’

Olivia hesitated and Molly thought she would refuse to answer, but she spoke not looking at Molly, in a very flat and formal voice.

‘Our decision was prompted by my son’s relationship with one of the teachers at the school. The head teacher there is very discreet but there are records to which Miss Theobald would have access. We were frightened that if she acquired an intimate knowledge of the family she would reach certain conclusions about Cassandra. We knew that she disapproved of my husband’s hunting and shooting. We were not sure that we could trust her discretion. She would have a vested interest in causing the family embarrassment.’

‘And because of that risk you decided to move Cassie?’ Molly was astounded by the paranoia. Olivia seemed to have the thing quite out of proportion. She had lost her grasp on reality.

‘It was Joanna’s decision,’ Olivia said flatly. ‘Her father and I advised her. That was all.’

‘You should know,’ Molly said, ‘that the Liddles intend to fight the decision. They will go to a solicitor tomorrow and ask for wardship proceedings to begin. If Cassie becomes a ward of court you’ll lose all influence over her. Any judge coming to a decision about her future will take into account the fact that the Liddles have had everyday care and control since she was a few weeks old.’

Olivia seemed frozen in her chair.

‘I knew,’ she said bitterly, ‘ that you were here to make mischief.’

‘I had nothing to do with the decision to take legal action,’ Molly said. ‘It was Vic’s idea. Of course if you decide to reconsider your position he won’t need to go to court.’

‘It has nothing to do with me!’ Olivia said sharply. ‘You should talk to Joanna.’

‘Yes,’ Molly said. ‘Perhaps I should.’