Anton and Kit looked about as excited at this prospect as Posy felt.

‘They also get early access to their chosen events, photo ops with all the speakers, and to attend all the luncheons and dinners,’ Clementine explained. ‘Day delegates are only allowed in the grounds, unless they’ve booked a ticket for one of the meals, or one of the indoor events, like the house tours. The family insisted.’

‘How on earth do you keep track of where everyone is, or should be?’ Posy supposed that having their home overrun by Lettice Davenport fans couldn’t be a lot of fun for the family. But it probably paid well. Maybe the Dahlia Lively royalties weren’t as good as they used to be.

Clementine held up her slender wrist and let the sleeve of her light linen jacket fall away to show a garishly coloured wristband circling it. ‘Everyone here has one. We have different colours for day delegates, plus special ones for the VIPs and for speakers, guests and the family. In fact, you might as well all put yours on now.’

Detaching a strip of bands from her clipboard, she handed one to each of them, and watched as they put them on securely. Posy stared at hers, silver against her pale skin. Somehow, it felt like handcuffs.

‘Our Clementine takes very good care of everyone.’ Marcus leaned close to his young assistant. Clementine didn’t look entirely comfortable with her boss’s proximity, but also not sure enough of her place, or job, to step away. Posy knew that feeling. Something about the man reminded her of her Uncle Sol, but perhaps that was his florid complexion.

‘Just doing my job,’ Clementine said, softly.

‘Ah! Now, here’s another of our very important guests to greet you. How fortunate!’ Marcus balanced his tray on the bonnet of the nearest vintage car, and waved a hand at a tall, elegant woman with white hair, who stood on the steps to the front door of Aldermere House.

She didn’t smile, or wave in return, but started walking towards them. Which was when Posy realised who it was.

Rosalind King.

Chapter Four

‘A script is just words on a page. It’s how people interpret them, how they act, that makes all the difference. And in this case, it seems that someone chose to take the action off stage – and to the mortuary.’

Dahlia Lively in All The World’s A Stage

By Lettice Davenport, 1938

‘Rosalind, my darling! How wonderful that you’re here!’ Anton kissed Rosalind’s cheeks with a lot of enthusiasm, given that she was old enough to be his mother. Maybe age didn’t matter when the woman in question was Rosalind King.