‘Go on then, Den. Give him his keys back. That’d do us all a favour,’ someone in the crowd shouted and there was general laughter. Obviously there was little sympathy for the drunk. He swayed back on his heels, turned round and walked unsteadily across the room. Den, the landlord, came round the bar, followed him to the door and shut it behind him with great ceremony. There was a round of applause.

‘He’s not very popular,’ Eve said. ‘Who was it?’ But before Jeremy could reply Den came up to their table. He was swinging the car keys on his finger, still making a show.

‘I’ll give these to you, Mr Grenville,’ he said. ‘You can let him have them back when he’s sober.’

‘Yes,’ Jeremy said. It was obvious to Eve that he was embarrassed by the exchange. Already a hint of the stutter had returned. ‘Yes, I’ll do that.’

‘It’s not my place to say,’ the landlord went on, aware that he had an audience, thinking that there was something brave about confronting Marcus Grenville’s son, ‘but I don’t know how your father puts up with that Danny Craven.’

If he was hoping to provoke a response he was disappointed. Jeremy put the keys in his pocket and said nothing.

‘Who was that man?’ Eve said again. ‘Danny Craven.’

‘He’s an under-keeper on the estate,’ Jeremy said absently.

‘No one seems to like him.’

‘No,’ Jeremy said. ‘He’s not a very pleasant chap.’

‘So why does your father put up with him?’

‘I don’t know,’ Jeremy said. ‘ I’ve wondered, but I don’t know why my father does anything.’

‘You’re not very close,’ she said. ‘For father and son, working together.’

‘Oh no,’ he said. ‘We’ve never been allowed to be close.’

She wanted to ask what he meant but he looked at his watch. ‘Look,’ he said. ‘I’ll have to go now. Simon and Jo have invited me for supper at the pottery and I’ve still work to do on the estate. Why don’t you come too? They won’t mind and you might enjoy it.’

But there was no conviction in his voice and she thought he was not even sure that he would enjoy it.

‘No,’ she said slowly. ‘No thanks.’ She felt, quite suddenly, that she had had enough of the Grenvilles for one weekend.