Caro distracted herself by observing the others. Harry and Heather were chatting away to Felicity in one corner, as if nothing amiss was happening. Rosalind and Hugh were nowhere to be seen, and neither was Ashok, now she looked for him. Posy, meanwhile, had been cornered by Juliette, taking a break from convention responsibilities.

Isobel was holding court with Anton, Libby and Kit in another corner, laughing and charming them all. Caro eased past them on her way to the buffet table for seconds, slowing enough to make out a few snatches of their conversation.

‘Of course, if you let us film here at Aldermere, the disruption would be even worse,’ Anton was saying to Isobel.

‘Anton! You’ll put her off !’ Kit laughed. ‘And then where will we be?’

‘I always believe in being upfront about what people can expect from one of my projects,’ Anton said, loftily. ‘It’s only fair.’

What would be fair would be giving Caro a part in the film alongside Posy and Rosalind, but she didn’t stop to mention that.

Posy, however, paused her nearby conversation with Juliette and looked over long enough to give Anton a meaningful stare. One that made him look away and add, ‘But of course, the authenticity of filming at Aldermere is hard to beat. And we’ll do everything we can to stop it being too disruptive for you.’

Hmm, apparently mini-Dahlia’s debate with her director the night before had left her with the upper hand. Excellent.

‘Of course we’d be more than happy to have the filming take place at Aldermere,’ Isobel said. ‘Once you’ve agreed a fee – and the script – with Hugh.’

As she moved out of earshot, Caro realised that Libby the scriptwriter had peeled away from the group and joined her at the buffet table.

‘I’ll say one thing for Isobel, she knows how to find good caterers,’ Caro said, as they both helped themselves to extra portions. She was pretty sure Isobel wouldn’t have left something as important as the food to Marcus. ‘Do you have any more events this afternoon?’

Libby shook her head. ‘I only had the film panel yesterday. I wouldn’t have come normally, but Anton insisted, even though there were only four places and plenty of other people he might have brought. I think he wanted me here in case the family had any issues with the script. He wants to get it wrapped up this weekend – you know, get the go-ahead to proceed, or—’ she broke off, as if not wanting to tempt fate.

‘Or the opposite, I suppose,’ Caro finished for her. ‘Have you heard anything yet?’

‘Not really.’ Libby sounded understandably glum about it. ‘I know Hugh has read the script, but he’s been avoiding Anton I think. Which doesn’t bode well.’

Or just suggested that Hugh had other things on his mind.