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got William to invite me down because Daniel’s away, but it’s really only the Shirburns…” “On the contrary, William told Julia that Mother’s bringing some guy to look at the house. I think I ought to be there,” persisted Leo.
    â€œI’m sure there’s no need for you to go…” She heard herself beginning to gabble. “You’re well out of it. William only talked me into coming to protect him from Ratso, but it doesn’t look as if it was necessary really…”
    â€œYou shouldn’t let people take advantage of you, Hilary. Being a widow doesn’t mean you have to play the victim, you know,” said her loathsome brother-in-law. “William’s a real old manipulator if you let him, and Mother’s worse - I seem to be the only member of the family with the nerve to stand up to her.”
    Hilary, who had seen Leo reduced to a stammering wreck by his Mother’s withering remarks, let this pass. More important was to prevent him from inflicting himself on them all at Haseley.
    â€œI’m afraid I’ll have to go down there, now that I’ve said I would,” She tried to sound casual, “but there’s no point in you letting yourself in for a ghastly family party - I know you hate them. You can snug down cosily with your writing in Gower Street and imagine us all freezing to death and listening to Stephen and Ratso wittering on about Tobias’s Genius Rating.”
    â€œWell I must say, I don’t relish spending Christmas in the company of Tobias’s fond parents. And Julia and Tony are not exactly stimulating intellectually …”
    Hilary held her breath.
    â€œOn the other hand, if you’re going to be there, Hilary, I’d at least have someone intelligent to talk to.”
    â€œMe?” Was it she who was going to be held responsible for Leo’s presence at Haseley? The others would never forgive her.
    â€œYes, I’ve always found you a remarkably intelligent woman.” He paused, presumably waiting for an embarrassed disclaimer, or an expression of gratification, while she exercised her remarkable intelligence in trying to hit upon one more good reason to keep him away.
    She tried a last pre-emptive strike. “Well, wish me luck at Haseley then. We must meet up after Christmas and I’ll tell you all the gory details…”
    â€œWhen were you planning to leave?”
    â€œTomorrow afternoon. I must go and finish packing.” She stood up, ready to put the phone down.
    â€œI might as well give you a lift then.”
    â€œWhat? …Oh no!” Defeat snatched from the jaws of Victory.
    â€œWell, how else are you going to get there? Hasn’t Daniel got the car?”
    â€œI’ve booked the train,” she fibbed desperately.
    â€œBut it’s miles from a railway station! You’d have to get a taxi all the way from Cheltenham.”
    â€œThere’s a bus to Cirencester…” Hilary knew she was losing this. No one could deny it was a nightmare journey to Haseley by public transport.
    â€œI insist on driving you down. I don’t mind going a little out of my way,” said Leo magnanimously.
    Hilary gave up.
    â€œOh well - thank you, Leo.”
    â€œI’ll pick you up about three. You won’t keep me waiting, will you?”
    â€œNo,” sighed Hilary. “I’ll be raring to go.”
    Frances, strapped in the back of the car with a restless Tobias, found the journey to Gloucestershire tedious. Stephen was basically a nervous driver, keeping to a steady fifty on the dual carriageway while hugging the centre line, but every now and then, when Frances peered round the head-rests obstructing her view, she caught him taking the most horrendous risks. Lesley didn’t seem to notice, despite her running commentary on his and other road users’ shortcomings, but then she had the advantage of being a