‘Oh, darling, that would be wonderful,’ said Isobel gratefully. ‘You’re a star. What a horrid end to your weekend this is proving to be. I’m so sorry. There has to be some solution and I don’t intend to let Aunt Lorna get away with all the misery and havoc she’s causing – but if we put ourselves legally in the wrong by not returning Rory now, it could make things much more difficult in the future. I expect that powerful senator husband of hers, who’s a lawyer anyway, would chew us up for breakfast and then spit us out again.’

After dinner, Giles outlined arrangements for the week. The following day, he would escort them all to Edinburgh himself, where he had laid on specially conducted tours of the National Gallery and Holyrood Palace, lunch at Duck’s at Le Marché Noir followed by a visit to the castle and a tour of some of Giles’s own favourite small galleries and little streets. On Tuesday Isobel would take them for the planned private visit to Evelyn Fergusson’s house and garden, which Giles thought would be of special interest to both Morwenna and Marnie. ‘I have hopes that we may find some clues for Marnie in her search for her missing castle and I know Morwenna’s going to be fascinated by the garden, but I think John and Christopher and Louisa will all find something to enjoy too.’

Other events he’d planned were an expedition to Glamis including a tour round the castle and lunch afterwards in the castle restaurant; there could be a trip round a whisky distillery or a visit to a sporran-maker; one day, weather permitting, they might go for an expedition up Glen Tilt and picnic by the river. The programme could be flexible, he said, and there would be opportunities to cater for individual requests if they arose. Might anyone like a day’s fishing? The Colonel was not a fisherman, but Christopher said he’d jump at the chance if it were on offer. ‘Only I’d have to borrow the kit from someone because I never thought of bringing my rod or anything with me.’ Giles said that would be no problem and he’d see what he could do. ‘You can borrow my rod and waders. You may be an inch or so taller, but we must be much the same size.’