‘I’ll look forward to seeing his treasures another time then,’ she said, smiling at Amy. ‘Sounds a real varied collection and – truly – I am honoured. Thanks, Amy. I hear you’re going to play for us this evening?’

Amy grinned. ‘Dad likes to make me sing for my supper when I’m home,’ she said.

‘What are you going to play?’ asked Louisa.

‘Well, I thought I’d start with the FAE sonata for violin and piano by Brahms and Schumann. It’s the one they collaborated on as a birthday present for their friend Joseph Joachim who was the great violinist of the day and the notes FAE are a sort of code for Joachim’s motto – Frei aber Einsam – Free but Lonely. Don’t you think that’s a tragic motto for anyone to have?’

‘Sounds just like me!’ said Marnie, laughing. ‘What made you choose that piece?’

‘Oh, it’s huge fun to play, lots of whirling off-beat syncopations – nice and showy-offy! Then I’m going to play an arrangement of Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole and after the interval a Mozart concerto for violin and piano. Dad’s made me write the programme notes so I hope I haven’t made any bloomers.’

‘Sounds great,’ said Louisa. ‘Who’s accompanying you?’

Amy rolled her eyes. ‘That’s the really scary bit. Did you ever meet Valerie Benson – my old violin teacher? She’s going to be very critical and think I haven’t practised enough. She should be arriving any minute to rehearse and I know she’ll put me though a tremendous inquisition about what my plans are for the future.’

‘I think I remember her,’ said Louisa. ‘A forthright lady with hair screwed up in a knot? The iron hand in a see-through lace mitten? I seem to remember she had your father taped.’

‘That’s her!’ Amy laughed. ‘She even got the better of Aunt Lorna a few years ago when she tried to interfere with my music and generally muck things up for everybody in the family. I owe Valerie so much and she’s asked a whole lot of high-powered music friends to come tonight so I badly want to do well for her.’ She darted a look at Louisa. ‘Do you know Aunt Lorna, Louisa?’ she asked.

‘Not like I know your mum.’ Louisa was not deceived by Amy’s nonchalant tone and was relieved to be able to answer truthfully. ‘I’ve met her at some family dos but I haven’t seen her for years.’

‘Well you haven’t missed much,’ said Amy. ‘She’s a real pain – as unlike Mum as anyone could be.’ She peered out of the kitchen window. ‘Oh, cool – that’s Valerie’s car now,’ she said. ‘I must go and greet her and take her over to the theatre. Nice to have met you, Marnie. See you both at lunch,’ and she whisked off.