This was clearly less than what Mma Soleti wanted, but at least it would set her mind at rest. To be persecuted by a known person was bad enough; to be persecuted by an unknown one was perhaps more terrifying.

Mma Soleti began to smile. ‘I’m very happy, Mma Ramotswe. Now that I know who my enemy is, and that her campaign against me will come to an end, I feel much happier.’

‘I’m glad,’ said Mma Ramotswe.

‘Let us give you free face treatments,’ said Mma Soleti. ‘Both of you. I will do you, Mma Makutsi, as you are a challenge. Angela will do Mma Ramotswe.’

Fortunately, Mma Makutsi did not seem to take offence at Mma Soleti’s tactless remark. Itumelang had dropped off to sleep and she held him gently as she lay down on the couch. Angela took Mma Ramotswe into the back room, where there was a chair for her to sit in while she had her facial treatment.

‘I am very glad that you have sorted this out, Mma,’ said Angela as she began to apply cold cream. ‘Mma Soleti is a very kind lady, and I have been very angry that she has been frightened. It is very bad.’

‘Well, I think it is over now,’ said Mma Ramotswe. ‘Or it will be, soon enough.’

‘That Violet Sephotho,’ said Angela. ‘Even I have heard of her, Mma. She is a very wicked woman.’

‘I’m afraid she is,’ said Mma Ramotswe. ‘I think it must be because she is unhappy. People who behave badly are often unhappy with themselves – and with the world.’

Angela rubbed the cream into Mma Ramotswe’s cheeks. She worked gently, and Mma Ramotswe decided that she would be good at her craft.

‘Mind you,’ said the young woman, ‘I thought it was somebody else.’

‘Did you?’

‘Yes. I thought it was the person who wanted this shop.’

‘Violet Sephotho wants this shop,’ said Mma Ramotswe. ‘That’s why we knew it was her.’

‘Yes,’ said Angela. ‘Maybe she does want it, but somebody else wants it even more. I heard about another person altogether but I didn’t want to say anything to Mma Soleti because I wasn’t sure and I knew that there had been a lot of trouble with that person.’

Mma Ramotswe was listening carefully. ‘How did you hear all this?’ she asked.