Monica was silent for a bit. ‘OK. I do see your point. Now, what shall we do for a farewell party?’

‘Well, I would really like to do something for Fenella and Rupert. I thought about a picnic. We can have it in the grounds so we’re not too far from cover if the weather lets us down. They’ve got a lovely patch of meadow by a stream. It would be perfect.’

‘Oh, I’ll help you and Grant will probably, too. There’s a shop near me that does brilliant pork pies.’

‘And I thought I’d order some sausage rolls and bits and pieces from Sarah’s Catering Ladies – the ones that did the food for the festival dinner party. Then we just need some bread, a bit of salad and some strawberries or something.’

‘And champagne. I can’t wait.’

The weather didn’t let them down. A small gathering made their way down from the house carrying rugs, cool bags, chairs, cushions and bottles. Rupert insisted on bringing a mini barbecue down to the water’s edge and he and Hugo cooked lamb chops, sausages and steaks. Despite it also being a thank you to Fen and Rupert, they’d insisted on organising most of it themselves. Henry, Laura’s old boss from the bookshop, and Eleanora were the only ones allowed steamer chairs, whence they presided over the proceedings and gossiped about the book world, enjoying themselves hugely.

Fenella, Monica, Grant and Laura became a little nostalgic towards the end as they talked about the festival and how much fun they’d had.

‘Of course, we’ve forgotten how much hard work it was,’ said Sarah, who was less emotional, ‘but I think you should definitely do it again next year, Fen.’

‘Only if Laura agrees to come and run it,’ insisted Fenella, dipping a strawberry in a bowl of cream and eating it.

‘Oh I will!’ Laura said, this time with genuine enthusiasm. ‘After all, we’ve learnt so much from doing it this time, it would be nice to use the experience.’

‘So what would you do differently?’ asked Grant.

Laura lay back and closed her eyes for a few minutes. ‘I can’t think of anything really.’

‘It would be better if the star act hadn’t been so elusive,’ said Monica, ‘but in a way that added to the fun.’

‘I thought we weren’t supposed to mention the D word,’ said Grant.

‘No one did, until just now,’ said Monica, pushing Grant’s elbow and causing him to spill his mug of tea.

‘It’s all right,’ said Laura. ‘He is the elephant in the room, after all.’

‘Jaysus,’ said Monica, putting on her best brogue, ‘I’ve heard you call him a lot of things, but never an elephant before.’