Four long work benches ran parallel to a demonstration kitchen area which had a bank of built-in ovens to the right and a whiteboard and TV screen on the back wall. On each bench there was a sink in the middle and a good few metres of counter space on either side. Orderly piles of utensils, including measuring jugs, scales, bowls, as well as wooden spoons and spatulas in tall pottery jars, were arranged at seven stations, two to each bench with one solo one at the back bench, to which Jason immediately gravitated. If there ever was someone who wanted to be at the back of the class it was him.

Earlier, Hannah had woken in the big double bed to bright sunshine spilling in through the dormer window and had rather chicken-heartedly opted to have toast and jam in her own kitchen instead of visiting the main house again. Last night’s dinner had been quite enough for her, thank you.

‘Morning, Hannah. We missed you at breakfast,’ said Izzy, coming to stand beside her. ‘Although if I eat a breakfast like that every day, I’ll be the size of a house. Honestly, the bacon was to die for. I think there might be something in all this organic rare breed stuff.’

‘Do you think so? I mean, can food really taste that different?’

Izzy shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I’m willing to be persuaded.’

‘I just came to learn to cook.’

‘Me too.’ Izzy caught her bottom lip between her teeth. ‘I’ve got a lot riding on it.’

Before Hannah could ask any more, Adrienne swanned in, looking as glamorous and gorgeous as ever, her skin positively glowing with good health and wellbeing. This morning her glorious auburn hair was tied back and she had a white hat on. She was followed by Mairead, another woman, and a tiny girl with a very fierce, determined face, all of whom wore green aprons with the cookery school logo and white headbands keeping their hair from their faces.

‘Good morning, everyone. I hope you slept well. Welcome to the cookery school. I’d like to introduce you to Bronagh, my deputy, and Niamh, my granddaughter, who along with Mairead are our kitchen assistants this week. If you need anything, they’re here to help you.’

She ran through a few basic house rules. Hannah knew from the schedule that week one was all about flour. They’d be making bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits, and scones during the week. Which all seemed quite straightforward.

‘First of all, today we’re going to be talking about bread, namely traditional Irish soda bread and sourdough. Does anyone know what makes these two different from other kinds of bread?’

Alan raised a hand. ‘Neither are made using yeast.’

‘Don’t you need a starter?’ suggested Meredith.