Isobel gave her an unfathomable look. ‘Yes, well, Lorna’s apt to have that effect on me,’ she said. ‘Anyway she’s married again now . . . she was always very good-looking, but in her forties she’s turned into a serious beauty – with the help of a few tweaks here and there – and I can’t describe how glamorous she is. She’s become the trophy wife of an American senator, if you please – his third wife to be exact!’ Isobel took a swig of tea. ‘Anyway, the senator doesn’t take kindly to stepchildren if they interfere with his plans. There was an SOS from Lorna and we were left literally holding the baby at very short notice, because they wanted to go travelling. There’s no date set for his return to the States yet . . . not what we bargained for at the start of our busy season.’

‘Goodness! How long has he been with you?’

‘About a couple of months already . . .’ Isobel hesitated. She said guardedly: ‘It’s a bit tricky all round at the moment, because Lorna seems to be incommunicado. Luckily I’ve managed to get a lovely girl from the village, who’s on her gap year and eventually wants to be a teacher, to help me. She wants to earn money to go travelling and doesn’t mind what she turns her hand to otherwise I don’t know what I’d have done. She’s been brilliant with him. Typical Lorna! She’s busy so she dumps her child on me – a child I don’t even know because Lorna went back to live in South Africa before he was born. It doesn’t matter to her that we’re busy too! Poor little scrap. It’s not his fault and he really is a lovely child.’ She added emphatically: ‘He’s a great addition to the household. We all dote on him.’

Louisa was just about to say ‘Tell me more’ when the dogs started to bark and went rushing down the steps as a small, fierce-looking young woman came stomping round the side of the house, carrying a large bag and looking like a thundercloud. She dropped the bag, and glowered up at them.

‘Well, thank God I’ve found someone at last,’ she exclaimed. ‘Are you two on this course too, and if so how the hell did you manage to raise anyone in this godforsaken place? I was beginning to think I’d come on a complete wild goose chase. I’ve been ringing bells and opening doors and shouting myself hoarse for ages and there doesn’t seem to be a sign of anyone about. What sort of a crap set-up is this?’

Isobel jumped to her feet and ran down the steps, beaming a welcome. ‘Oh poor you, I’m so sorry. I’m Isobel Grant. Welcome to Glendrochatt.’ She held out her hand, and asked: ‘And which of our guests are you?’ although she had a shrewd idea who it might be. The young woman ignored her hand.