‘It’s fine. I appreciate you must be busy, especially on a weekend like this where you want everything to run like clockwork.’

They exchanged polite chit-chat with the rest of the table guests throughout dinner, but Steph couldn’t help herself from thinking ahead to when they would be back at her lodge. She was under no illusion there would be the remotest interest paid to her pictures tonight. A voice of warning whispered in the back of her mind. If Sonia’s belief surrounding Elizabeth’s death was true, then Harry could potentially be involved. Steph pushed the warning away.

When they had finally finished their dessert, Steph excused herself to use the ladies’. As she got up she felt a little light-headed. It must have been all the wine she had consumed. She had tried to match one glass of wine with one glass of water, which usually worked well for her, but with her glass being constantly topped up, she must have got lost on the ratio.

As she came out of the toilets, across the hallway she could see Harry in deep conversation with his brother Dominic. She really didn’t fancy going over there just now. She didn’t like Dominic. He made her nervous and she didn’t know why, which in itself was unsettling. Instead, she opted for a breath of fresh air, hoping that would clear her head a bit before she returned.

As she crossed the hall towards the breakfast room, where she could slip out onto the terrace without being noticed, she rubbed her face, forgetting she had rather more make-up on than usual.

‘Bugger,’ she said. Looking back, she saw a mirror tucked away around the corner and hurried over to inspect her make-up. As she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue to try to remove the smudges, she became aware of different voices coming from the hallway. Hushed voices. Both male.

‘Have you got it with you?’ said the first voice.

‘Yeah, of course. I said I would,’ came the reply.

‘Come on, then. I want three g.’ The first voice sounded impatient.

‘This isn’t on credit.’

‘When have I ever asked you for credit?’

Steph inwardly winced. She couldn’t leave her spot around the corner – they would know she’d heard them talking and it was obviously a clandestine meeting. She’d just have to stay put until they were finished. She held her breath, not daring to move.

‘There – £300,’ said the second man. ‘Hurry up.’

Steph could hear the first man taking his time counting out notes. She got the distinct impression he was being slow just to wind up the other bloke. Finally, she heard him say, ‘It’s all there.’

‘Good, and there are three little bags for you. Oh, don’t snatch. Didn’t your mother teach you any manners?’

‘Fuck off, Dean.’

‘Now, now, Mr Sinclair, that’s not very becoming of a man in your position.’