The machine gave a final whirr and then settled into silence. ‘There you are,’ said the woman. ‘Another job done.’ She flicked a switch. ‘Now then, ladies, what can I do for you?’

Mma Ramotswe did not approve of the sudden launch into business. She felt that even if you had things to do, there was no reason not to introduce yourself and enquire after the other person. That was the way it had always been done in Botswana, and she saw no reason to change. So she greeted the woman in the traditional way and introduced herself.

‘I am Mma Ramotswe,’ she said, offering her hand. ‘And this is Mma Makutsi, my assistant.’

‘Associate,’ corrected Mma Makutsi.

‘My associate.’

They shook hands.

‘You are Mma Manchwe?’ asked Mma Ramotswe.

The woman nodded. ‘I am. That is me. I am the owner of this business and I shall be very pleased to do some copying for you ladies, if that is what you need. You’ll find that my charges are competitive.’

‘I’m sure they are,’ said Mma Ramotswe. ‘But that, Mma, is not why we are here.’

Mma Manchwe’s eyes narrowed, but only slightly. Mma Makutsi noticed, though, and glanced at Mma Ramotswe: proof – if it were still needed.

‘We are from the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,’ Mma Ramotswe said.

It seemed to take Mma Manchwe a few moments to absorb this information. Then her head went back and she laughed. ‘That place! The ladies’ detective place? I’ve seen that sign of yours, Mma – that funny sign.’

Mma Ramotswe sensed Mma Makutsi stiffen beside her. ‘I do not see why the sign is funny, Mma,’ she said mildly. ‘You have a sign too. A business needs a sign.’

Mma Manchwe was unapologetic. ‘But it says something about the problems of ladies, doesn’t it? It says something like: For the problems of ladies and others.’ She paused, looking almost incredulously at her visitors. ‘Don’t you think that sounds a little bit… a little bit gynaecological?’

Mma Makutsi drew in her breath sharply. ‘I do not think that, Mma. I do not think that any reasonable person would think that at all. In fact, I think only a person with a very crude mind would think that, Mma.’

Mma Ramotswe reached out to touch Mma Makutsi’s forearm. ‘I do not think that she meant it unkindly, Mma,’ she said.

Mma Manchwe was placatory. ‘Of course not, Mma,’ she said, looking anxiously at Mma Makutsi. ‘I was just saying.’

Mma Makutsi was not to be so easily pacified. ‘There are many people who just say things, Mma,’ she said icily. ‘There are fewer people who think before they open their mouths. That is something I have observed, you know. I have seen it many, many times.’