She had just over an hour before dinner. Perhaps it would be best if she didn’t go after all. At least that way she wouldn’t have to see Harry again today, and then if she bumped into him over the next two days she could just be very offhand and act as though what just happened hadn’t taken place.

Her stomach gave a growl of disapproval. No, this was silly. She couldn’t hide away in the lodge. It was best if she just got ready and acted professional when she next saw him. She’d make a conscious effort not to go all giggly and flirty around Harry Sinclair.

Steph looked at her clothes in the wardrobe. She had two evening outfits. A clichéd little black dress, which she had envisaged wearing tomorrow night for the gala dinner the Sinclairs were laying on for their guests, and a pair of tight black velvet trousers with a floaty chiffon top for tonight. As she wriggled herself into the trousers, another thought struck her. What if she did get close to Harry? She might be able to gain his trust a little and he might open up about Elizabeth if she asked him some questions. She was, after all, here for a reason other than just to report on Conmere Resort Centre. If she was going to find out anything more about Elizabeth Sinclair, then who better to ask than her husband? She side-swiped the little voice of warning in the back of her head that if Elizabeth had been murdered, then it was quite possibly Harry who had done it. Wasn’t it a fact that wives were more often murdered by their spouses? And yet he had been so kind and considerate to Sonia when she had gatecrashed the reception, tagging him as a murderer seemed ridiculous.

Steph gave herself one final look-over in the mirror of her room. The trousers were pretty snug, but she felt comfortable in them and ready to face the Sinclairs.

The restaurant was in the west wing of the house, just off the main entrance hall, and she was ushered to her seat by the maître d’. Steph found herself on a table with several other tour-guide representatives and three local business people who were providing outside services to Conmere.

‘It’s great the way the family support the local community,’ commented one guest.

‘How are you associated with the Sinclairs?’ asked Steph, genuinely interested. She had no idea about this side of the business.

‘I’m a local produce grower. Tina Eames of Eames Farm. This is my husband, George. We’re based about five miles away, just on the other side of Conmere.’

‘And they order their fruit and veg from you?’