‘I told Maxim to take it all down, close the show. Rory just wasn’t ready to exhibit.’

The nausea which had been threatening now seemed a real possibility. She didn’t trust Veronica remotely, but parts of her story were probably true – possibly all of it was. But why in God’s name had Ben never said a word about her part in Rory’s downfall? If she’d known where the loo was, she’d have escaped to it. As it was, she could only stand her ground and hope her body wouldn’t let her down. ‘Oh, really?’ she said tightly. ‘I’d heard Rory’s story, of course, but he didn’t mention your part in it.’

‘Oh, he probably wasn’t aware of my part in it.’ She laughed gaily. ‘The poor boy was in no state to be aware of anything –’

‘Except that his show had been taken off and the critics had completely disparaged it.’

Veronica decided to take some time with this woman, who obviously was a little slow but if she was ever to be got rid of she would have to have a few things pointed out to her. ‘Darling, Thea? Interesting name. I don’t think you quite understand. The critics may have given Rory a very hard time, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t admire his work. They just thought it immature. I knew that in a few years he’d mature beautifully –’

‘Which? Rory, or his paintings?’

‘And of course, while we’re terribly grateful that you found him for us in Ireland, you were only just a few steps ahead of us. Edward and I had put out a lot of feelers and were about to track him down.’

And the ‘feeler’s’ name was Ben Jonson, no aitch, like the poet. Thea began to shake, aware that she was suffering from shock.

Veronica went on, ‘Of course, we will give you a credit in the catalogue, won’t we, Edward? That would only be fair.’

Thea knew she had to get out of there and soon, or she’d vomit over Veronica’s Manolo Blahniks. ‘I think I need to talk to Rory about being fair. Would you give me a moment, Rory? Outside?’ Her teeth were beginning to chatter and the air-conditioning suddenly seemed far too powerful.

Rory, looking shifty and embarrassed, was only too willing to follow Thea into the street.

The sweet, dirty smell of a city when it’s about to rain was refreshing after the powerful odour of Veronica’s scent. Thea stood for a few seconds, breathing deeply, trying to fight the physical symptoms of shock which seemed to linger long after her brain had accepted the situation; she had been totally and utterly shafted by everyone. At that moment she could have suspected even Petal and Molly of being in on the act.

‘Where would you like to go?’ he asked.