‘So, Tina, you’ve lived locally all your life, have you?’

‘Yes, that’s right. I was born and bred in Kendalton as were both my mother and my father.’

‘Wow, a proper local. I bet you’ve seen some changes over the years.’

‘You can say that again. I don’t think my mum and dad would recognise the place these days.’

‘What about Conmere? That’s undergone some changes?’

‘Oh, yes, it has, and all for the better. When Max Sinclair was in charge it was all a bit old hat and dated. The house was in need of repair and the grounds were beginning to look a bit unkempt, but he was as tight as a witch’s earhole and never wanted to spend a penny. Mean old bugger, he was.’

‘I didn’t realize that,’ said Steph. ‘I lived here when I was younger but moved away when I went to uni. I must admit, I didn’t pay much attention to this place.’

‘Since the brothers took over, it’s undergone a real transformation. Of course, this reopening is the biggest of all. I think after what happened …’ she lowered her voice ‘… you know, to Elizabeth Sinclair, well, they needed a fresh start, so to speak.’

‘I’ve heard about her death. So tragic. She wasn’t a local girl, though, was she?’

‘Oh, no. Harry met her in London, I think. She was very glamorous.’

‘Did you know her at all?’

‘Not really. Only when I’d come up here with a delivery or she’d sometimes be in the village pub with Harry, but I can’t say she was a friend or that I knew her.’

‘Did she have many friends here?’ asked Steph.

‘You must be joking.’ Tina drained the last drop of wine from her glass and Steph topped it up again.

‘Why’s that?’ Steph felt she was on the brink of finding out something about Elizabeth as her stomach fluttered with nervous excitement.

‘She was a bit stuck up. She was very good at making enemies.’

‘Enemies? People in the village?’

Tina gave a snort. ‘I think she upset most people at some point or another.’

‘Like who?’

Tina tapped her chest with her forefinger. ‘Me. She wanted some fancy exotic fruit one day and put it on the order. When I came up and explained that I couldn’t get it, she was very put out. As I was just completing the paperwork with the kitchen, I heard her saying to Harry that they should think about a different supplier who could get some different fruit in.’

‘What did Harry say to that?’

‘Told her that he was very happy with us and there wasn’t the demand for dragon fruit, or whatever it was she wanted.’

‘I see,’ said Steph, and she couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed that there wasn’t more of a story there.