Thea half smiled, half shrugged and, feeling condemned as a scarlet woman bent on preventing Rory from so much as picking up a paintbrush, went into her bedroom. Perhaps if she put on all her clothes at once she would be warm enough. She huddled up to Lara and received an affectionate lick.

Before she could start photographing the pictures Thea had to get her film, which would either mean disturbing Rory, thus earning herself a stake through the heart from Susan, or struggling with the Land Rover.

Susan’s pretty mouth tightened as Thea came into the kitchen, where she was drying the china Thea had washed last night.

‘I’m going into town to get some film. Rory told me I could borrow the Land Rover. Do you want anything?’

‘You’re going to drive the Land Rover?’

‘I was. Is it difficult?’

Susan considered, deciding whether just to let Thea loose with the beast, or give her some pointers. ‘It’s a bit of bastard to drive,’ she said at last.

Thea bit her lip. ‘I really need the film. I want to take slides of Rory’s paintings. I think he’s really, really good.’ She gave a rueful smile. ‘If I’m right, he may never have to paint a horse again.’

‘Honestly? And what do you know about art?’ This was a genuine question, not the sarcastic sneer it might have been.

‘I haven’t been formally trained, but I’m reckoned to have a good eye. I think Rory might be a genius.’

‘And you say he could give up painting the dogs and horses?’

‘If the right person sees the slides.’

Susan nodded. ‘I’ve got to go in and do some shopping myself. I can take you in my car. When do you want to go?’

‘Whenever it’s convenient to you. I’d like to take photos of Rory’s pictures in daylight, when it’s not raining, if possible.’

‘I finish here at two. I’ll take you in then.’

The town was small but pretty, with a river in the middle lined with trees. It bustled, with a good combination of tourist outlets and proper shops for natives, selling hardware, haberdashery and fishing tackle. One of its chemists also had the film Thea needed.

She didn’t get to know Susan a lot better during the outing, but she did feel she was slightly less hostile. She smiled wryly to herself as she looked out of the window on the journey home. So much for getting away from a house full of students so she could have a torrid affair – she would have to be up at the crack of dawn, changing sheets and ruffling her own bedclothes, to avoid offending her. At least the students kept out of her bedroom. Susan, bustling around with her hoover, would be exposed to anything and everything they got up to.