Gina was very busy suddenly, preparing the Hall for the visitors. Diana had written back to her mother that she’d come for a weekend some time next month and she might ask one of her friends if she’d like to come with her. Why didn’t her parents suggest hosting the village fête at the Hall, as they had done years ago? James telephoned and said he’d see if he could find the time, but he wasn’t making any promises and he’d let his parents know.

‘I remember you and Mr Stellion holding the fête on the back lawn,’ said Gina. ‘It’s a few years since. Would you like to do it again?’

‘I’ll ask Mr Stellion what he thinks. I expect when he sees from her letter that it’s Diana’s suggestion, he’ll be all for it,’ Edith smiled. ‘It’ll be a lot of work for you, though.’

‘Oh, I don’t know about that, Mrs Stellion. I’ll just make sure the gates are open! Mr Travers and Mr Mason can organise all the stalls in the usual way. I shall be busy getting the rooms ready for Diana and her friend, and James, of course, if he comes.’

Sure enough, Mr Stellion agreed to Diana’s suggestion, the fête committee were consulted and delighted to move the event back from one of the farms to the beautiful venue of the Hall garden. Tom consulted Mrs Stellion and decided to rope off some of the garden as private but allow visitors to view other parts, and he and Ellen turned their attention to making the public parts as perfect as they could.

Suddenly the Hall, far from being silent and dull, was buzzing with activity. Mrs Stellion appointed herself in charge of ‘lists’, and the sitting room became the headquarters of ‘Fête Day’. The difference in her was a joy to see, Mr Stellion told Gina gratefully.

‘No more headaches and exhaustion. It’s amazing. I’m so glad Diana thought of the weekend,’ he added.

Gina felt a bit put out. Inviting Diana and James home had been her idea, but there was the prospect of meeting some new people, which to Gina was the entire point of the event, and in the meantime the Hall was livelier and busier.

Mrs Bassett was in her element, suggesting menus and trying out new recipes.

‘It’ll be just like the old days, Gina,’ she said. ‘I loved it when the children were home for the school holidays and there were cakes to bake and picnics to pack up. It’s nice to cook a great big lunch for a lot of people and see everyone enjoying it, and then hardly able to move in the afternoon.’