‘I’m Marnie Donovan. I’ve booked into a course here. Don’t you have any staff around this place?’

‘Indeed we do. I think you and I’ve spoken on the telephone and it’s really good to see you, but you’re a bit early so you’ve caught us on the hop. We weren’t expecting anyone before five and it’s only half past four now – but don’t let that worry you in the least. It’s great that you’ve managed to get here.’

Marnie Donovan looked slightly appeased. She nodded at Louisa. ‘You on the staff here then?’ she enquired.

‘No,’ said Louisa, indignant on Isobel’s behalf at such unnecessary rudeness. ‘I’m on the course too – so no doubt we’ll be seeing a good deal more of each other during the next week.’ She didn’t sound as if she found this a pleasant prospect.

‘How come if you’re on the course and arrived even earlier than me that you managed to get some service?’ demanded the young woman.

Louisa raised a disdainful eyebrow at her. ‘Perhaps I don’t demand such instant attention?’ she said pointedly. ‘This isn’t a hotel.’

‘Louisa’s an old friend of ours,’ interceded Isobel hastily. ‘I’d asked her to come a bit ahead of everyone else so that we could get a chance to catch up on each other’s lives and we were just having a gossip.’ She hoped animosity was not going to spring up between Louisa and the new arrival, aware that, for all her charm of manner, one or two people found Louisa’s ready social confidence and quick tongue daunting, and thought her arrogant.

‘How lucky for you both,’ said Marnie acidly. ‘Sorry to interrupt your tête-à-tête and all that, but if it wouldn’t be too much trouble I should like to be shown my room now please.’

‘Of course.’ Isobel willed herself to sound friendly. ‘We’ll go there straight away. Where have you left your car?’

‘In what I assumed was the car park.’

‘Fine. You’re sleeping in one of the arts centre bedrooms so we’ll go through the house and out the back way and that’ll give you an idea of the layout. Let me help you with your bag – or you can leave it here and someone will come and pick it up shortly.’ She looked at her watch and smiled at her unresponsive guest. ‘It’s nearly five so our helpers will be back on duty any minute.’

‘I lugged it down here so I suppose I can lug it back,’ said Marnie ungraciously, though she added a grudging, ‘thanks all the same.’

‘I’ll come too,’ Louisa said to Isobel. ‘I can’t wait to see all the alterations and what you’ve done to the actual theatre.’

‘Good idea. I’m longing to show you everything.’

‘Would you like me to take my car to the car park too, or is it all right to leave it here, Izzy?’

‘Oh, leave it here – it’ll be fine. Right, follow me then.’