Fliss sighed as if he were too stupid for words. ‘The Byrne family have owned this land for generations. Adrienne married into the family. Her in-laws had the original farmhouse and turned it into a hotel. Adrienne and her husband – before he died – moved into this farmhouse and turned the outbuildings into the kitchens, the demonstration rooms, and the cafe. They turned the barns into living quarters for the workers and a few of the cottages in the grounds into accommodation for guests and students. It’s been a twenty-year project. Surely everyone knows that.’

‘Well, I didn’t,’ said Jason, glaring at her.

‘How lovely,’ said Meredith with a sigh. ‘Keeping it in the family. I miss my daughters something rotten. They both left home last year. The house feels so empty without them.’

‘I’m dreading mine leaving home,’ said Alan, shooting her a sympathetic smile. ‘Although I wouldn’t mind the peace and quiet now and then. How many daughters have you got?’

‘Two, but there were always a dozen friends about. Lots of laughter and noise. I sometimes think I miss their friends nearly as much as them. We always had an open house.’

Alan laughed. ‘I don’t think there’s much choice, is there, when you have daughters.’

Jason rolled his eyes. ‘Like a bunch of hyenas round ours when my sisters have their mates over. Honestly, I’m the only bloke. It’s effin’ tough.’

‘Ah.’ Adrienne appeared silently like a glamorous wraith. ‘That gives me the perfect opening. There’s no swearing in my kitchen. I’ve no patience with these foul-mouthed chefs, cursing and cussing at their colleagues. Mutual respect is what I expect. So I don’t tolerate swearing. A cuss word slips out of your mouth and you’ll be fined. It’s a euro in the jar every time.’ She gave Jason a benign smile. ‘I’ll let you off the first one.’

‘Bloody hell,’ muttered Jason.

‘But not that one. One euro in the jar.’ With a sweet smile, she added, ‘I’d hate to bankrupt you. Now, the house rules. I was waiting on more, but as they’ve yet to arrive I’ll not hold the rest of you up. I expect punctuality. There is a certificate at the end of the course and it requires full attendance to every session, no matter what went on the night before.’

‘Sounds ominous,’ said Alan.