The members of the committee had met at the Hawthorn Town Hall to inspect the venue and meet the caterers. Audrey, Imogen and Edie had gone on to see the printer to get the invitations and posters organised. Everything was coming together well. Violet sat back, watching the shadows of the trees flash past, then the familiar high stone wall of her own garden appeared, partially hiding the cream-coloured tower and graceful arches of her home. The car slowed down as they neared the front gates, with their stone-capped pillars and the name Riversleigh scrolled in brass letters on a black plate. As Nikolai stopped the car, Violet noticed Sally hurrying towards them across the gravel driveway, her head down. She was wearing her daytime uniform – a demure blue floral dress, but with a black straw hat instead of her usual starched white apron and cap. ‘Nikolai, would you mind checking if everything is all right, please?’ asked Violet. ‘Sally looks bothered about something.’ Nikolai jumped out of the car and opened the gate.
