‘I don’t feel upbeat, actually. I feel as if I’m trying to sort out world peace single-handed, but I’m also too angry not to try my very hardest to succeed.’ Thea took a sip of orange juice and swallowed the pill.

‘But don’t forget,’ said Magenta. ‘You have Rory’s pictures and they don’t.’

Taking vitamins and feeling angry was one thing. Actually fronting up at the gallery demanding to know Rory’s home address required the loan of a beautiful linen skirt and a good squirt of some scent Magenta guaranteed would bring men to their knees. After all, strong perfume hadn’t appeared to do Veronica any harm.

Thea went in and crept around the exhibition as she had done the day before, quietly, without announcing her presence. When she had stored up enough little snippets about the work to sound intelligent and informed, she approached the desk where Edward, the curator, was sitting. He was in his early sixties, still very good-looking and immaculately dressed.

‘Hi!’ She gave him a warm, slightly apologetic smile. ‘I sort of hope you don’t remember me, but I was in yesterday.’

He smiled graciously back. ‘Of course I remember you. How could I forget? Such turmoil you left behind you.’

‘I’m so sorry. Was it very dreadful?’

‘For a while. Veronica blamed the nanny and the nanny blamed Veronica and tried not to show it. It was awful. I had to calm them all down with nips of brandy.’

Thea laughed. ‘Well, it wasn’t really anyone’s fault, expect Toby’s, sort of. But he’s under the age of criminal responsibility, so no one can pin anything on him.’

Edward laughed. ‘Now, what can I do for you?’

‘Well, I’ve already hugely enjoyed this exhibition. And it’s a lovely space…’

‘Thank you. I selected the work and arranged it, and I also created the space. So what can I really do for you?’

Thea bit her lip. This was the hard part. She could spend all morning flirting with this attractive man, but it wouldn’t get Rory back for her. ‘I want to know where Rory’s staying. I really do have to talk to him. Our conversation yesterday was cut short by Toby and a thunderstorm.’

‘Now tell me, my dear, why should I give you the address of one of the most exciting young artists I’ve seen for years, when I know you’re going to try and take him away from me?’

It was a fair question. Thea took a deep breath. ‘Because my chances of getting him to come to me instead of staying with you are so infinitesimal that it wouldn’t be fair of you not to give me the opportunity to at least try.’

Edward nodded. ‘True, but you’re a very charming young woman. Your chances might be better than you think. Can I risk that?’