‘I’m just here to keep order, as a local councillor,’ he blustered. ‘I’m not saying I won’t get the council to sponsor an advert or a small event, but I can’t spend the ratepayers’ money, or at least not much of it.’

Something about Sarah’s manner told Laura this didn’t greatly surprise her. Sarah turned her attention to Tricia Montgomery. ‘We need top-class authors, to attract a lot of people.’

Laura remained silent, taking it all in. If they had Tricia’s expertise and Fenella in charge surely they wouldn’t need her, she reasoned.

‘I’ll do my best, of course,’ said Tricia. ‘As a top-class agent’ – she made a face – ‘Eleanora does have all the right contacts. She could probably get Damien Stubbs to come and Amanda Jaegar—’

‘Who?’ asked the chairman, speaking on behalf of many.

‘Shortlisted for the Orange,’ said Laura automatically, forgetting she didn’t want to draw attention to herself but she just couldn’t help it. They were on her territory after all. ‘Should have won it last year, lots of people felt.’

Tricia smiled at her. ‘And Eleanora felt . . . we were rather hoping that Laura here would be able to get us authors we can’t lean on.’

Laura dropped her pencil in panic when she realised everyone was looking at her and cursed herself for piping up about Amanda Jaegar. That was what happened if you were a know-all. ‘I’m really not sure . . .’ she said. ‘I mean . . . I have no experience—’

Sarah interrupted her smoothly. ‘Shall we just discuss what we’d like, who we’d like, give ourselves a dream scenario and then see how near we can get to that?’

‘She’s a wedding planner in her day job,’ muttered Rupert.

‘She seems very efficient,’ said Laura, thinking with relief that with Sarah on board, she really wasn’t really necessary. She could make her excuses and leave. They’d manage just fine without her.

The discussion went on, not really achieving anything until Fenella got to her feet. ‘Right! Teatime! Down to the kitchen everyone. I’ve got sandwiches and cake and scones and it’s all got to be eaten.’

There was a moment’s ‘politesse’ and ‘this meeting is adjourned’ from Bill and then a stampede. Laura found herself next to Monica on the stairs.

‘Boring or what!’ Monica said. ‘I think it’ll be great when it actually happens but until then – God!’

‘It’s weird, but I really think I recognise you,’ said Laura. ‘Are you on telly?’

‘Not often. I’m in a band.’

‘Oh!’ squeaked Laura. ‘Now I know why I recognise you, only you haven’t got pink hair! I’ve seen you on stage! You were brilliant!’

‘Where did you see us?’

Laura told her about the venue. ‘Just a couple of nights ago. I loved it!’