Marty eyed Grisha warily. Imelda released his collar and Grisha advanced slowly, distracting Marty’s attention just long enough for Imelda to do what she needed to do.

‘Get that blasted dog out of here!’

Imelda smiled. ‘Of course. I’ll come back later.’

They left the office and hurried outside where bemused holidaymakers were beginning to be distracted by a conversation being broadcast on the public address system.

‘I can’t believe you’re making such a fuss about nothing. I’m only being friendly. It’s my nature. There’s nothing wrong with that.’

‘We’ve had enough, Marty. There’s nothing friendly about the way you behave. It’s disgusting. You’re just a dirty old man!’

The knobbly knees were looking slightly discombobulated. Charlie had silenced the music and the tea dancers were suspended mid-waltz in one another’s arms. Sara-Jade’s water babies were treading water and the Larkins Lovelies were giggling nervously on the catwalk.

‘The problem is that you ladies have no sense of humour. I suppose it’s your hormones. Tell me, Ruby, have you got your monthly? Is that why you’re being so oversensitive?’ Marty’s usual silky smarminess had slithered away, and his tone had taken on a nasty edge.

‘We’re not your personal harem. We’re here to do our jobs. It’s time you learned to keep your hands to yourself and treat your female staff with respect.’

Imelda detected a slight quaver in Ruby’s voice, but otherwise she was doing splendidly.

‘And I think it’s time that you remembered your place. Your job is my assistant, and if you carry on like this you won’t have that job for very much longer, and nor will any of the other troublemakers.’

‘Are you threatening me?’

‘I’m advising you that I’m not happy with your performance.’

The wife of one of the knobbly knees contestants nudged the woman standing next to her. ‘I bet his performance is nothing to write home about.’

The outdoor activities had, by now, been freeze-framed by the developing hostilities being publicly broadcast. Most of the holidaymakers and staff were hanging on every word. Ruby was very popular with the guests and disapproving mutterings were growing in volume among the crowd. Inside, in the dining hall, the scrape of cutlery on plates had paused and chewing suspended. Chatter had ceased and slot machines stood silent in the bar of the entertainment lounge. Even in the chalets, radios had been switched off and children shushed.

‘If you have any complaints about the way I carry out my duties, then I’ll be happy to listen to them, but the last time I looked, my job description did not include having my bum or boobs groped by you.’

A man who had been waltzing with his wife at the tea dance laughed. ‘Nothing wrong with a bit of slap and tickle. Just a bit of harmless fun.’