The reality had everything the picture lacked-life, strength and character, and above all humour. The features were lean, the mouth was generous and firm, the chin resolute to the point of stubbornness. But it was the eyes that held her. They were like lights on a dark night, and they seemed to draw her towards him as though the two of them were connected by wires.

All this flashed through her mind in a second. Outwardly she retained enough composure to observe coolly, 'I think he'd probably say something about fluffy-headed little things with nothing else to think of but clothes.'

He had the grace to blush, but recovered himself quickly. 'I never said it. You imagined the whole thing, honestly.'

'In my daydreaming, you mean,' she said, through twitching lips.

'Mrs Meredith,' he pleaded, 'I throw myself on your mercy. When my daughter saw your card and realised who I'd offended, she threatened me with dire retribution if I didn't put the matter right. If you don't forgive me, she'll never speak to me again.'

'I set it all up,' Phoebe said in delight. 'I told the PR woman that the photographer had to be you.'

'And then she forced me to come early so that she could watch you work,' Daniel said. 'Naturally I warned her that you'd order us straight out…'

He spread his hands in a helpless gesture, and Lee had to smile. She knew that his apparent diffidence was no more than the easiest way of achieving his object, but his object was his daughter's pleasure, and she liked him for it.

'You don't have to go,' she said. 'But I'll be a long time.'

'You're in luck,' Daniel said to his daughter. Then, to Lee, 'We'll tuck ourselves out of sight and you'll never know we're here.'