‘Hello, Helen,’ he said, as if he had seen her that morning. ‘Did you get here safely?’ Then, casually, he bent to kiss the top of her head. ‘Pansy’s not here yet? I thought she would be.’

‘How d’you do?’ said Lord Montcalm, and his friends shook her hand too. Then they turned their attention at once to the tea tray.

‘Tea, Oliver?’ asked Lady Montcalm.

‘No, thanks. I’m going to have Scotch.’ He poured a large measure into a tumbler and took a long swallow.

‘Is that appropriate, at four in the afternoon?’ His mother’s voice was very cool.

‘Appropriate at any time of day, as far as I am concerned.’ Equally coolly, Oliver went across to one of the windows and held back the heavy curtains so that his view was unimpeded. The exhilaration of the day’s sport had faded from his face, to be replaced with irritation.

But a moment later he said, ‘Here she is,’ and there was so much enthusiasm in his face that they all looked round.

A curve of the main driveway was visible from the window and they saw the white Corniche drifting towards them.

Oliver was on his way out of the room at once. Helen and Tom put down their plates and followed him. Pansy, as always, would have a warm reception.

In the shadow of the great main doors, Masefield Warren’s chauffeur walked round to open the door of the Rolls. Pansy was out of the car before he could reach it. She ran up the sweep of steps to meet them, then flung back her head to look up at the façade.

‘Nolly, it’s bigger than Buckingham Palace.’

‘Considerably bigger, bloody mausoleum.’

Pansy was laughing and kissing them all.

‘Masefield was so pleased that I was mixing in the right company at last that he sent me in his car. Will somebody look after Hobbs?’

‘Of course,’ Oliver said. ‘Maitland will see to it.’

Helen breathed in Pansy’s familiar summer-garden scent and felt the soft fur of her white coat brush her cheek as they kissed each other. Very deliberately, she made herself smile. They’re made for each other, she repeated to herself. Maitland … Hobbs …

For a moment, Helen’s smile was genuine.