She caught up with Posy and Rosalind as they reached the China Room.

‘What did you learn from Felicity?’ she asked, without preamble.

Posy pulled a face. ‘Not much. She disappeared almost as soon as you did – something about an interview she was supposed to be conducting for the fan club newsletter.’

‘Or she was avoiding your questions,’ Caro said.

‘Most likely,’ Rosalind agreed, as Posy opened the door. ‘I assume you got more from Ashok, given how long you were gone?’

Caro checked over her shoulder and, spotting Harry and Heather coming up the stairs, just nodded.

‘Well, at least there are no more surprises waiting for me in here tonight,’ Posy said from inside the room, scanning the surfaces for stolen objects. Caro followed her gaze, then shuddered at the sight of the China Room wallpaper. It didn’t get any less migraine-inducing on further acquaintance.

‘Having ascertained that, may I suggest you two gather your things and we retire to a room more suitable to talking and thinking at the same time?’ Rosalind winced as she glanced around her. ‘My room has blissfully little in the way of pattern. We can get ready for dinner together there.’

‘Like getting ready for a girls’ night out,’ Posy joked, but her smile was a little sad. Caro wondered when the last time was she’d had actual fun with friends. ‘Just with more murder talk.’

There was a sudden flash outside the windows looking over the gardens, followed shortly after by a roll of thunder. The light dimmed for a moment as the rain began, lashing against the windows as if the earlier, perfect summer day had never happened.

‘Ominous,’ Caro said. ‘Come on.’

Rosalind’s room was at the opposite diagonal corner of the house to the rooms Caro and Posy had been allocated, looking out over the front driveway as it curved around the house.

‘So there were definite perks to arriving early,’ Caro said, examining the room.

With the large bay window with a window seat built in underneath, not to mention the king-sized bed, sitting area and desk, it had to be the largest and nicest of the guest suites.

Rosalind glanced at her surroundings as if seeing them for the first time. ‘I suppose so. This has always been my room when I stay at Aldermere.’

Posy dumped an armful of clothes and her make-up bag on the pillowy sofa in the sitting area. ‘We’d better get ready for dinner. I don’t think we should risk being late – who knows what we might miss?’

‘True,’ Rosalind agreed. ‘Caro, you can fill us in on what young Ashok had to say while we change.’

She did so with relish, drawing out the revelations to get the responses she wanted from her audience, who were gratifyingly impressed and surprised.