Mma Ramotswe followed her into the salon. All the devices of Mma Soleti’s trade – the creams and oils, the astringents and the unguents – were laid out neatly on trays, and at the foot of the treatment couch a pristine white towel had been folded and placed ready for use. But there was no sign of any customers.

Mma Ramotswe knew, from experience, how tact was required when one commented on the slow pace of another’s business. And so she chose her words carefully. ‘It’s good to have time to get everything ready, isn’t it, Mma?’ she said. And then added, ‘I’m sure you’ll be busy later on.’

Mma Soleti gestured for her guest to sit down. ‘There have been no clients for three days, Mma. Three days! I have been here every morning at eight to open up. I have stayed until one minute past five each day, and there have been no clients – not one, Mma.’

Mma Ramotswe made a sympathetic clicking sound. She remembered such days in the first months of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’s existence. She remembered the leaping of the heart when it looked as if somebody might enter the door, a potential client, and then the awful sense of let-down when the passer-by proved to be just that – a passer-by.

‘And it’s not because they don’t need beauty treatments,’ continued Mma Soleti, before adding, with some solemnity, ‘I believe that the need has never been greater.’

Mma Ramotswe puzzled as to the meaning of this last remark. Were people looking worse than before? Had there been some sudden and terrible deterioration in the general standard of looks – a widespread communal sagging of chins and stomachs? Was it something to do with the temperatures being endured in this late part of the hot season – an endemic drying out of skin and a melting of muscle into pools of flab?

Mma Soleti made a frustrated gesture towards her stacks of supplies. ‘What’s the use of all this expensive stuff, Mma, if there is nobody to apply it to?’

‘That is a great pity, Mma,’ said Mma Ramotswe. ‘This beautiful salon and no clients… It is a great shame.’ She paused. ‘Do you think people are holding on to their money? Is it to do with that?’

Mma Soleti was shaking her head vigorously. ‘No, it has nothing to do with money. It is because of the rumours that are being spread.’

‘Rumours about your salon, Mma?’

‘Yes. People are saying some very wicked things about my salon. Would you go to a beauty salon that everybody said bad things about?’