Ben got to his feet and held out his hand to pull her up. ‘I suppose that’s true.’

By the time Thea was standing by Ben’s side she felt more cheerful. She’d had a helping hand, literally. It must be a good omen.

Molly walked up to look at the work while it was still displayed outside the studio. Thea went with her, thinking it was possible she might need a rich patron. ‘They’re very good, aren’t they, Molly?’ she insisted, after Molly had inspected them in silence. ‘Wouldn’t you like one?’

‘I can tell they’re very well painted. Our week in Aix has taught me that much, but they’re so large. And I thought landscapes were out of fashion. I thought it was representational art, now. You know, pictures of things you can recognise?’

Thea did know what representational meant, but she wasn’t really abreast of the most recent fashion trends of contemporary art. And here she was, planning to devote her life to it.

‘I’ve only got one small space in the hall,’ Molly went on, not noticing Thea’s little panic attack. ‘Where the hunting prints run out, and another in the downstairs loo. Although I would like to help Rory out.’

‘Well, I’m glad you think they’re good, even if you can’t buy one,’ said Thea. She could tell Molly her grand plans later, when she’d spoken to Rory.

It was hard to get Rory on his own. Elated by everyone’s appreciation of his pictures, he had opened a bottle of Paddy. Petal was his only co-drinker, but it was still difficult to talk seriously about anything.

Molly had found a bed and breakfast nearby and announced that she and Petal would be staying in it. ‘That means Thea won’t have to sleep in the bath any more,’ she announced, giving Thea an ambivalent look. ‘And I can have an en suite. What about you, Ben? Are you and Toby happy to stay here?’ She didn’t actually say that Thea needed chaperoning, but the implication was clear.

Ben glanced at Toby, who said, ‘I’d like to be near the pups.’

‘If that’s all right with Rory, I think we’ll stay put. It’s only for a few days. We’ve planned to go down the Burren later.’

Rory, who’d recently lived the life of a hermit, had suddenly become very hospitable. He waved a liberal hand. ‘You might as well hang around. I want to talk to you about the work, anyway.’

Having shown no one for years, now his work had been on show, even to such a small audience, Rory wanted to talk about it all the time.