‘Because I met the agent who lets these places,’ said Angela. ‘He lives near my parents. He said to me that he hoped that Mma Soleti was pleased with this place because he could have let it to somebody else. He said that there was somebody who tried to bribe him to let it to her, even after Mma Soleti had signed the agreement. He said she offered him money because she was desperate to get this shop. She wanted to open a branch of her printing business here and she thought this was the best place for that. He refused.’

Mma Ramotswe sat motionless, holding her breath. ‘Did he say who it was, Mma?’

‘It was that woman whose husband went off with Mma Soleti.’

‘Daisy Manchwe?’

‘Yes. He said it was her. So I thought that she must be the person who was trying to get us out. But now I know that I am wrong and it was really Violet Sephotho, I’m glad that I didn’t say anything.’

Mma Ramotswe held up a hand. ‘Can you wipe the cream off?’ she said. ‘I need to go.’

‘But I’ve hardly started,’ Angela complained.

‘I’m sorry,’ said Mma Ramotswe. ‘There are things that are more important than beauty.’

Angela removed the cream and Mma Ramotswe stood up. Returning to the main treatment room, she addressed Mma Soleti, who was applying a thick layer of cream to Mma Makutsi’s face.

‘I think,’ she began, ‘that it might not be Violet Sephotho after all.’

Mma Soleti put down the jar of cream with a thump. ‘Not her?’

‘No. I think it is somebody else.’ Mma Ramotswe glanced at Mma Makutsi. ‘I… we both probably jumped to a conclusion. It was not an unreasonable conclusion, but it was perhaps a little bit too early to decide what we decided. I’m sorry, Mma.’

Mma Soleti frowned. ‘It is not one person, but you say it is another. Who is this other person, Mma?’

‘I think it is Daisy Manchwe. Angela has just told me that she tried to get hold of this shop. She is the one who copied that notice – and I think she probably wrote it too.’

Mma Soleti gasped. ‘Her! I told you, Mma Ramotswe! You asked me for a list of enemies and I put her name at the top. Remember?’

‘You did tell me, Mma,’ agreed Mma Ramotswe. ‘And I went to see her. She told me that she bore you no ill will. She said that she was pleased that you had taken her husband from her because…’

‘Because of what, Mma?’ Mma Soleti exploded.

Mma Ramotswe made an effort to summon every reserve of tact. ‘Because she felt perhaps the two of them were not very well suited. It was something like that.’

Mma Soleti gave a crowing laugh. ‘I rescued him from that big liar, Mma. She is a very big, famous liar.’