‘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.’

Isobel led the way, back through the hall and down a passage to the covered way that led to the theatre and across a courtyard to the pretty old farm buildings that the Grants had converted into accommodation for the visiting artists, musicians or students who attended the various events that took place during the spring and summer. She chatted brightly away, explaining about the changes she and Giles had made and how they had based their idea for the centre on the original fortnight’s summer music festival which Giles’s parents had started years ago. Louisa, who knew the past history of Glendrochatt and was genuinely impressed at all the alterations, responded enthusiastically, but Marnie Donovan walked along in silence.

‘Have you anything more you want from your car, Marnie, and if so would you like help to carry anything?’ asked Isobel.

‘I’ve got my laptop and a few bits and pieces – nothing I can’t manage myself.’

‘Let me take your bag for you then, and we’ll wait while you collect whatever else you need.’

‘Goodness,’ said Louisa as they watched Marnie walk across the car park. ‘What a charmer! Hope the rest of them aren’t like her. I don’t know how you managed to stay so friendly, Izzy, after she was so rude and disagreeable.’

Isobel laughed. ‘Oh well, it’s my job. We have to try to please the punters, you know! Wonder what’s eating her though . . . she looks so unhappy. But she’ll probably mellow – people usually do. She’s not the first tricky customer we’ve had and I don’t suppose she’ll be the last. See if you can befriend her.’

‘Hmm. I might.’ Louisa looked noncommittal. ‘I don’t like grumpy people. I’ll sit out here and wait while you take her in.’

After she had shown Marnie to her room, pointed out the bathroom and the facilities for making hot drinks, suggested that she might like to walk round the grounds – ‘Please feel free to go anywhere’ – and told her that she hoped she’d come over to the house for a pre-dinner drink at seven o’clock, Isobel collected Louisa and took her to look at the theatre.