“I started working at a television company when I finished college. I did a number of jobs, but then it turned out I was rather good at presenting. I worked on a few different shows, including one for children. And then came The Summer Seekers. Have you ever done a job in your life that felt absolutely right?”

“No.” Martha saw no reason not to be honest. “I suppose you could say I’m still—finding my way. Trial and error, you know?” There had been more errors than she cared to remember.

“Well, The Summer Seekers was right for me. Right from the beginning, I loved it. What I tried to do in my reports was to give people a taste of the place. I wanted people to make up their minds if they wanted to visit, and armchair travelers—and there were plenty of those—to feel as if they’d visited even though they hadn’t left the comfort of their own homes. Once we arrived in a place it was up to me to decide what to highlight. I’d look at the culture, the food, but I’d always cover a few places that were off the beaten track. If I was lucky I’d find a local willing to join me for a day and take me to all their favorite haunts. That insider perspective gave viewers a feel for the real place.”

Martha was fascinated. “Are any of your old shows on the internet?”

“I have no idea. I don’t use the internet. I do have them on DVD, but they’re at home.”

“If you don’t use the internet, how did you book the flight tickets, the hotels and the car?”

Kathleen paused. “If I tell you, you need to promise not to tell Liza. She would disapprove.”

It seemed funny to Martha that Kathleen was keeping secrets from her own daughter. Maybe she wasn’t the only one who found Liza a little scary.

“I promise.”

“My neighbor did it for me.”

Martha ate her risotto slowly, savoring each mouthful. “Why is that a problem?”

“Because he is considered to be a little on the disreputable side.”

“Disreputable. I love the way you talk.” Martha grinned. “What does he do?”

“He enjoys life,” Kathleen said calmly, “a trait that tends to induce a state of envy in those observing his more extreme antics. Envy masquerading as disapproval. He’s a rock star. Highly successful, so I’m told by people who know more about these things than I do. Successful enough to have bought all the land around me and several fast cars. His house is spectacular. Glorious sea views.”

“What’s his name?”

“Finn Cool.”