‘She’s fine, love, just fine.’ He considered me mildly over his drink as Alex came through the door, looking as shambolic as ever despite a shirt and tie. A badly tied tie. ‘Oh, and of course we’re toasting Alexander. Off to Glasgow – and engaged.’ Malcolm clapped his son on the shoulder. ‘Just need a baby now, Alexander, eh? Complete the trio.’

I choked on my Bucks Fizz.

‘Piss off, Pa,’ Alex said tiredly. He didn’t look like someone celebrating anything. He looked exhausted and lifeless. ‘Do you need a bang on the back, Maggie?’

I shook my head vehemently.

‘I’m not being rude – but what are you doing here?’ Alex loosened his tie as I recovered myself.

‘You weren’t answering your phone so I rang your office.’ I couldn’t look at him. ‘They said you were here.’

Serena swiftly uncoiled herself from Tom, who was looking rather dazed, his poor girlfriend Clarissa utterly terrified and as horsey as ever in the corner by the canapés. Serena wafted across the room to drape herself round the other brother now, her dress frighteningly low-cut for this time of day, the powder-pink of her silk bra just peeping through the sheer fabric. She raised one curved eyebrow at me.

‘Maxine.’

‘Maggie, actually,’ I said pleasantly. Her ring finger was still bare. I tore my eyes away. ‘Hi there, Selina.’

Alex grinned. Then he saw my face and stopped.

‘I need to talk to you, Alex.’ I drained my glass.

‘We’re kind of busy right now, aren’t we, Allie darling?’ Serena said, inspecting her perfect manicure.

‘Yes, well,’ I put my glass on the polished sideboard where it left a wet ring, ‘sorry about that. I just need a quick word with Allie darling,’ I smiled amiably at her, ‘about why he keeps ringing me.’

Serena shot me a look that could have felled me on a different day.

‘Oh dear. I am sorry,’ said Malcolm, looking absolutely anything but. ‘You been a naughty boy again, Alexander?’

Alex chewed his thumbnail, showing no vestige of emotion. His father brandished the jug again, his bushy brows practically dancing with delight. ‘Top-up anyone?’

Barbara joined us now, clad in beige Jaeger, her limp fair hair only accentuating her washed-out appearance, her opulent tones a direct contrast to her husband’s.

‘Hello there, Maggie. Lovely to see you. Are you well?’ She adjusted her large, owl-like glasses. ‘Serena, do come and see the piccies of the house in Provence. They’ve come out so well. I’m really pleased.’ She linked her arm expertly through the girl’s silk-clad one and guided her away, Serena’s skinny back bristling, unable to resist Barbara’s charm.

Alex swigged his drink and raised an eyebrow at me. ‘So?’

‘Nice glass of vodka?’ I asked sweetly. I knew his tricks.

‘Water, actually,’ he said shortly. ‘Let’s go next door.’