She read down the long line of additions that she had written, either before she went to sleep or when she had twice woken during the night. ‘You couldn’t function without that list, could you?’ said Anthony, as they ate breakfast in his study. ‘Do you know, Anthony, if I lost this list, I would surely die. I could not think of anything worse, so please stop hiding it, even as a joke. It is no longer funny.’ ‘Will your Mr Manning be coming to the Rose Queen competition today?’ Anthony teased. ‘I have no idea,’ she replied. ‘I only ask,’ he said, ‘because I know Alison is in charge of judging the Rose Queen and I saw his name, on her list of judges.’ Harriet looked at him, aghast. ‘Stop,’ she said. ‘For goodness’ sake, she hasn’t done that, without telling me, has she? The judges are due here for tea and sandwiches, at one o’clock, before they begin judging, at two. Why would she do that? Not that it makes any difference. He’s a judge, like any other.’ ‘Really?’ said Anthony.
