Having the decorators in - Reay Tannahill

With a cast of charming characters - introduced to us in HAVING THE BUILDERS IN - this witty and clever novel tells the story of the inhabitants of Vine Regis castle and its surrounding town.
After far too many months of HAVING THE BUILDERS IN, Dame Constance's (newly extended) castle, Vine Regis, is her own once more. Finally she has the peace and quiet she needs to begin the all-important task of decorating. Or so she thinks... Unfortunately for Constance, it's not just her Italian decorator's choice of colours that are revolting - apparently the townsfolk are at it too. Outraged by the Poll Tax, murderous rebels are rumoured to be on the rampage. As meddlesome merchants, pesky Pilgrims and rowdy relatives seek refuge at the castle, Constance's dreams of interior design disappear out of the window. This simply won't do; Dame Constance should be picking out fabrics not picking up after uninvited guests. But as Lady of the Manor she must do her duty. Unless, of course, she can devise a way to get rid of them...

HAVING THE DECORATORS IN is wickedly witty, deliciously delightful and infinitely more enjoyable than watching paint dry.