Thea frowned with mock disapproval. ‘There are so many politically incorrect statements in there that I don’t know where to start enlightening you. I’ll just have to ignore them. Now, I’m going to go down to the cottage and have a quick shower before I start cooking. You go and finish your horse.’

The chocolate sponge was in the oven, the kitchen was filled with a warm, chocolatey smell and Thea had had her shower. For a while she wished she travelled with as many beauty products as Molly did. She could have done with some body moisturiser, perhaps a little Immac and a bigger bottle of perfume than the trial size she had taken on holiday. She had not exactly prepared her body for seduction, but she did wonder if tonight she would have the courage to let Rory whisper Irish nothings to her until she followed him to bed.

Now she was peeling potatoes, when he came in and handed her a glass of whiskey. She looked at it hesitantly. ‘I couldn’t just a have a glass of wine, could I? I missed a hangover this morning by the skin of my teeth. I don’t want to get drunk again.’

‘You can have what you like.’ He seemed a little taken aback. ‘I’m surprised you suffered after sharing a bottle of wine, though. A whole one might give you a bit of a headache.’

‘We did have whiskey first, remember.’

‘Well, I’m going to have whiskey now, too.’ When he had found a tumbler and tipped the required amount into it, he raised his glass to her. ‘To you, Thea. Thank you for coming.’

‘Thank you for having me.’

‘I haven’t had you –’ The ‘yet’ was unspoken.

This was showdown time. She thought she might as well come clean about a few things. ‘I feel a bit uncomfortable about you being so much younger than me.’

‘I’ve always preferred older women. I love their wisdom, their humanity –’

‘Their cellulite?’

He laughed. ‘No one who’d looked in the Readers’ Wives section in the top row of magazines would ever worry about cellulite. Women’s flesh is so much more sensual than men’s.’

‘I would have thought you’d prefer men’s bodies, with their muscularity more defined.’

‘I like men to draw, but not to sleep with.’

Thea took a deep breath and made her decision. But just as she was about to announce it there was a strange, high cry from Lara. ‘What on earth’s the matter?’ asked Thea, her heart pounding with fright.

‘Oh, my God,’ said Rory. ‘I think the puppies are coming!’

They both moved quickly to Lara, who looked up at them, confused and distressed. She seemed to be asking what was happening to her.

‘It’s all right, honey,’ said Rory gently. ‘You’re just having your pups.’