Poppy Jacks extended her hand. ‘Hi! I think it’s terribly brave what you’re doing. Opening an art gallery against all the odds. Ben told me how much effort he’s put into it himself, just so it wasn’t a complete flop before it even opened.’

For the first time that evening, Thea found herself without a suitable soundbite, or indeed anything to say at all. Eventually she managed, ‘I’ve got a hundred people I must talk to. Ben, why don’t you show Poppy round?’

‘Who’s Ben with?’ demanded Molly. ‘I saw Rory working on Veronica. I must admit, when he chooses to use it, that man has the charm of the devil.’

‘And the cheekbones of an angel,’ said Magenta, scooping a glass of champagne off a passing tray. ‘I’ve got some fabulous shots. Must go. See you later.’

‘So?’ Molly hadn’t had her answer yet.

‘You could ask him yourself, but she’s called Poppy.’

‘So is she the one who did all the PR?’

‘You’re the one who knows all about Ben’s private life. Why don’t you go and get an update?’ Thea smiled to soften her crispness. ‘Now I must find Edward Grampian and make sure I’ve got his seal of approval.’

Molly found Thea a little later. ‘It’s not the PR woman. She’s that one over there, talking to Rory now. Poppy’s just a popsy. Oh! I’ve made a pun. I think.’

‘We’re going now. It’s been a wonderful show.’ Ben kissed Thea’s cheek.

‘Yes,’ Poppy added. ‘It’s been such fun. Now we’re going to eat. Edward has taken Veronica on somewhere, so we’re off the leash.’

‘That’s nice,’ said Thea. ‘Are you eating in town? We’re all going to the Chinese Dragon, if you’d like to join us.’ Watching Ben flirting with Poppy all night would be torture. The thought that she might never see him again if she let him escape was even worse.

Poppy laughed. ‘Oh, no. Ben’s promised me something a little more sophisticated than we can get here.’

Thea’s jaw clamped down on the words ‘The Chinese Dragon is very sophisticated’. She was extremely tired and a sense of anticlimax threatened to overwhelm her. If she wasn’t careful she’d burst into tears in a very messy way.

‘Poppy doesn’t like Chinese food,’ said Ben.

Thea forced her mouth open. ‘So, what are you going to do instead?’ She wouldn’t have asked, but as Ben was just standing there, Poppy tugging on his arm, instead of getting the hell out, she had to say something.

‘Ben knows a little place near Chipping Norton.’ Poppy almost clapped her hands in anticipation. ‘Sounds wonderful!’

‘Sounds a long way away,’ said Thea.

‘So what are you going to do again?’ Ben asked.