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long as they don’t get him out of anything!’
    She moved across, ostensibly to check that everything was all right, in reality to rescue Harry.
    â€˜Libby, this is heaven.’ Phillip Newcombe was at her elbow.
    â€˜Really? Which particular bit?’
    â€˜All of it.’ Phillip waved an expansive arm. ‘The theatre, the rooms here, the food … Couldn’t ask for more, could we?’
    â€˜Well, let’s hope the run of bad luck didn’t follow you down here,’ said Libby.
    â€˜Run of …?’ Phillip’s dark brows drew together. ‘Oh, you mean all those nasty little tricks.’ He shrugged. ‘I bet it was someone who didn’t get into the company and was jealous. Don’t you? And they’d still be in London, wouldn’t they.’
    â€˜I suppose that’s possible,’ said Libby, wondering if it was. ‘Wasn’t the Kabuki curtain stunt good?’
    â€˜Oh, is that what it was? Fabulous. Can’t wait to see it in the actual piece, although I won’t, I suppose. Only from the back.’
    â€˜Someone will film it, though, surely?’ said Libby.
    â€˜Oh, I expect so, even if it’s only for Max to make us sit through it and point out where we went wrong.’
    He is waspish, thought Libby, and went to ask Max if Phillip’s theory was possible.
    Max was thoughtful. ‘He could be right. We did hold auditions when we realised we didn’t have quite enough people in the company to put this on, and there were several who were disappointed. But not to the extent of sabotaging the production.’
    â€˜No, I thought it was a bit unlikely. And whoever it was had to know all about the rehearsal arrangements and the lockers. An auditionee wouldn’t know.’
    â€˜Unless they were close to a company member,’ said Max. ‘Have you talked to any of the others yet?’
    Libby was taken aback. ‘Give me a chance! I’ve got to get to know them a bit better first. Tell me, who’s your Chattox? I’ve met Demdike.’
    â€˜Tom Matthews. He’s over there.’ Max nodded towards a group of dancers clustered round the table where Libby and Hetty had set up the coffee pots.
    â€˜Which one? I’ve met Dan – is it? The Roger Nowell.’
    â€˜Talking to Dan now,’ said Max. ‘That’s Tom.’
    Libby eyed the tall, well-muscled young man appreciatively. ‘Very nice.’
    Max smiled at her. ‘He is, isn’t he? And tough as old boots.’
    â€˜Yes, you said he wasn’t fazed by the cockerel.’
    â€˜I think maybe you should go and check the coffee pots,’ said Max with a wink. ‘They may need refilling.’
    Libby grinned at him and wandered over to the table.
    â€˜Hello – Libby, isn’t it?’ said Dan Washburn.
    â€˜That’s me,’ said Libby. ‘Just checking the coffee pots.’
    â€˜I think there’s still plenty,’ said Tom Matthews, and stuck out a hand. ‘I’m Tom, by the way.’
    â€˜Ah, yes – the Chattox.’ Libby shook his hand. ‘And are you all OK – your rooms are all right?’
    â€˜It’s great,’ said Dan. ‘Such a lovely set-up. And this food is wonderful.’
    â€˜Mexican street food, apparently,’ said Libby. ‘Harry over there has a Mexican restaurant in the village.’
    â€˜So we’ve been told,’ said Tom. ‘With a special discount for us if we eat there.’
    â€˜Indeed.’ Libby smiled brightly. ‘We’re all family, you see.’
    â€˜You are?’ Tom looked at Harry and back at Libby.
    â€˜Well, extended family. My partner Ben owns the Manor and the theatre, which he designed, being an architect, with his mum, Hetty, who’s over there talking to Peter, who is doing your FX. Peter is her nephew and Ben’s cousin, and is married to Harry.’
    The group of men