‘Detective Chief Inspector Penrose – yes, I recognised you. From the newspaper,’ he added, seeing the look of surprise on Archie’s face. ‘You’ve been splashed across our pages several times in the last few months.’

Hilaria waved them over before Archie had a chance to respond. ‘Miss Dietrich, allow me to introduce Alex Fielding from The Times. Mr Fielding was just telling me how often 92he’s photographed you in the past, so he’ll probably be familiar to you.’

Marlene looked at him and Archie could see that she had no recollection of him at all from the sea of photographers who must greet her at every turn, but her graciousness was impressive. ‘Yes, of course,’ she said. ‘How nice to see you again, Mr Fielding.’

‘And you.’ He took her hand, then seemed to remember why he was there. ‘Perhaps I might get some shots of your arrival at the Mount? Now, while we’ve still got the light?’

‘By all means.’ She put a hand on Archie’s arm and said under her breath: ‘You see? Why do they always think they know me?’

He smiled and watched her walk a few yards round the harbour, admiring her instinct for the best vantage point. Fielding turned to him. ‘You too, Chief Inspector.’

‘You want me in the photograph?’

‘Why not? Our readers will want to know that Miss Dietrich is in safe hands.’

It seemed an odd thing to say, and Archie noticed Hilaria glance sharply at Fielding. He stood by Marlene, waiting while the photographer fumbled nervously with the camera, then moved to one side to allow him to take some pictures of the film star on her own.

‘I’m so glad you’re here,’ Hilaria said, giving him a hug while the others were preoccupied. ‘I was beginning to wish I’d never started this.’

He laughed. ‘You’ve really got nothing to worry about. She’s nowhere near as difficult as you might expect.’

‘That’s not quite what I meant, but I’m glad to hear it.’ 93

‘There’s an awful lot of luggage in the car, though,’ he added quietly, ‘and very little of it is mine.’

He had meant it as a joke, but Hilaria didn’t smile as she beckoned the footman over. ‘Take Mr Penrose’s car round to the tram, will you, Mason?’

Archie thanked him and handed over his keys. ‘Have Josephine and Marta arrived?’ he asked.

‘Yes, about half an hour ago. I haven’t had a chance to call in on them yet, but we’re gathering for drinks at six.’

‘I’ll go and say hello when we’ve finished here.’

‘Do, but can I speak to you first? In private?’

‘Yes, of course.’

She looked concerned, but before Archie could ask her what was wrong, they were distracted by another car driving quickly across the causeway, a large Mercedes-Benz with whitewall tyres. ‘Ah, good – that’s the colonel and his daughter,’ Hilaria said, as the chauffeur pulled up outside the Change House. ‘Excellent timing. We can all go up to the castle together.’