Eleanora shot Laura a glance that made her blush. Was it possible that losing your virginity and having glorious sex showed from the outside? Laura’s blush deepened. Only part of it was because of the glorious sex; the other part was the feeling Bridget had given her: that she was a fill-in for her and no better than a prostitute.

In the end, Fenella was philosophical about Dermot possibly not appearing. She hushed the sea of dogs, led Eleanora and Laura down to the kitchen and handed them both a large glass of wine. Laura suspected that Rupert, now staring into the oven, had been instrumental in calming her down.

‘Well, if he comes, he comes, there’s nothing much else we can do about it,’ she said, shooting Laura a glance that suggested she didn’t quite believe her words. ‘Have some olives, Laura.’

‘He always has been a law unto himself,’ said Eleanora. ‘That’s very good wine, Rupert.’

‘Bogof,’ said Fenella. ‘I got it at the supermarket.’

‘Oh. Well, it’s very nice.’

‘So, Laura, was it very terrifying bearding Dermot in his den?’ asked Fenella. ‘Eleanora has told us how utterly scary he can be.’

Her aunt nodded her agreement, happy to sip her wine and not interject with a pertinent opinion for once.

‘He was a bit tough with some of the students,’ agreed Laura. ‘And I suppose it was a bit nerve-racking. I had to break into his house.’

Rupert snorted with laughter. ‘I don’t see you as a housebreaker, Laura.’

‘You’d be surprised how good I was at it. I—’ Just in time she stopped herself telling him how often she’d sneaked in and out of houses lately. ‘I had the advantage of not minding if anyone caught me doing it. I’d have asked any passer-by for help.’

‘But there weren’t any?’

‘No. Never is when you need one.’

‘You did exactly the right thing, not pressing him too hard,’ said Eleanora. ‘I should have gone myself. His childish tantrums don’t scare me! Did I ever tell you? Once when we were at the Ivy . . .’

Laura began to relax. No one seemed to be blaming her for not bringing Dermot’s promise to appear written in blood and now Eleanora was telling a vivid and amusing story of Dermot in a rage. Her possible failure was being seen as a sensible withdrawal. What Laura couldn’t say was that she wasn’t remotely frightened of Dermot’s temper, although she’d seen a glimpse of it. Once he’d started making love to her she’d just forgotten all about the damn festival.

The following morning, in the room designated as the Festival Office, Fenella and Laura went through the details. Eleanora was off inspecting some of the venues with Rupert.

‘Kathryn Elisabeth has confirmed,’ said Fenella.