‘And nothing suitable in my bank balance, either, so it doesn’t matter that I haven’t time to buy anything new.’ Thea chewed her lip. This problem had crossed her mind a few times, but as she couldn’t think of a solution to it she just let it pass right on through.

‘Thea.’

Molly was so stern that Thea put down the paint she had just picked up. ‘What?’

‘I am begging you, please, please, please let me take you shopping to buy something. You are the human manifestation of this gallery. It is essential that you look absolutely beautiful.’ She held up her hand before Thea could even draw breath, let alone speak. ‘Yes, the work will speak for itself, but when half the art world think you and Rory are having an affair, you don’t want them wondering why.’

‘Oh, my God! They don’t, do they?’

‘What? Think you and Rory are having an affair? Of course they do! And so do most of your friends, for that matter.’

‘But – ’

‘I know you’re not, of course.’ Molly gave Thea a sidelong glance to check she was right about this. ‘But I’m willing to bet all those arty London types will assume it. Why else would he show here?’

Thea had been entertaining a tiny hope that it was because of the beautiful space, but that had been deflated and now she couldn’t think of a single reason. ‘Why indeed?’

‘So it’s essential that you look so drop-dead gorgeous that it seems perfectly logical.’

It seemed anything but logical and totally impossible. Thea tried to protest. ‘But I want the gallery – ’

‘No. You’re not having them come through the door, take one look at you and think, my God, those rumours can’t be true.’

‘But –’

‘Good God, woman! Have you no feminine pride? Apart from anyone else, there’s Ben!’

‘What about Ben?’

‘The women he’s been toting around like Lulu Guinness handbags! There was a family party last week and he brought this…woman.’ Molly obviously couldn’t think of a word bad enough for her. ‘She was a size ten, or possibly eight. She looked about nineteen, but it turned out she was twenty-five – hardly any better for a man Ben’s age – and she smoked almost continually.’

‘What has this to do with me and what I wear for the opening?’ Thea asked, trying to match her expression to the casualness of her words.

Molly looked discomfited. ‘Oh, nothing really. I just think it’s time Ben settled down and not with someone Toby will be having the hots for by the time he’s eighteen. Honestly, Ben has no sense when it comes to women.’

‘Really.’