‘Thea, I promise you I’ll sort out Lara and find homes for all the pups very soon.’ He grinned. ‘But actually it’s about a television programme she wants me to make. Talking about art through the ages. They saw my picture and thought I’d be perfect for it. Something to do with my cheekbones.’

Thea and Molly exchanged glances but didn’t comment. ‘Well, as long as you’re back here tomorrow by five thirty at the latest – sober! I’ve got all my photography friends coming to take pictures. I’ll need you – or at least your fabulous cheekbones.’

‘Bitch,’ he said fondly, ‘of course I’ll be back. I might even beg a bed for the night tonight.’

‘You know which your room is. It’s still got your sheets on it. And if you’re home before I am, see to the puppies, will you?’

After he had gone, Molly and Thea exchanged glances. ‘Well, I hope he’s better at art through the ages than he was on Cézanne,’ said Molly.

‘He was so crap!’

Molly frowned. ‘I know you’ve been spending a lot of time with Petal, but do you have to raid her limited vocabulary?’

Thea shrugged. ‘Crap or not, as he’s not going to paint the bathroom I’d better do it while you’re here to man the phones.’ She yawned. She’d been keeping very late hours recently.

‘Did I tell you I’ve got my cleaning lady to come in tomorrow and give things a final polish? It’s so important that everything is gleaming.’

‘Molly, love, I despair of you. We’re supposed to be running this gallery on a shoestring. I’ll let you get away with it this time, for Rory’s show, but after this we’re going to have to wield that vac ourselves. Do you think you can manage that?’

Molly made a face. ‘I was a chalet girl once, you know. I can do cleaning if I have to.’

‘Oh, good. What about the windows? Newspaper and vinegar puts on a lovely shine.’

Molly’s expression was so horrified that Thea relented. ‘It’s all right. I’ve got one of the boys booked. He did window cleaning as a Saturday job. He’s got all the gear and he’s coming first thing.’

‘What are you going to wear for the opening?’ Molly asked Thea nervously, as she watched her climb into the boiler suit she had offered Rory. ‘Not that, I hope.’

‘Oh, I thought I would. I thought it would be cool and funky, a sort of urban statement.’

‘Thea, really, I don’t know …’

‘It’s all right, I’m joking again. You should know me by now.’

‘So, what are you going to wear? I’m willing to bet you’ve nothing suitable in your wardrobe.’