Padding across the oblong bit of the kitchen in a pair of disreputable pink knickers and a blue bra, she filled the kettle. This afternoon she’d be cleaning Peapods for the first time, now that Jackie was helping out the visibly pregnant Kat. This afternoon she’d wear the red satin bra and knicker set that Fran had given her last birthday. It was wildly frivolous and she’d kept it in the drawer of her dressing table still in its lilac and gold carrier bag. One day, she knew, there’d be an occasion to wear it. Not, of course, that she expected Drew to pounce on her this afternoon. But if he did …

She’d watched him ride out of Peapods on Dock of the Bay within minutes of Caroline leaving, leading his small string of horses up onto the gallops. She’d shivered, watching the mere movement of his thighs controlling the big, bay horse, his slender hands gently coaxing on the reins, the lean strength of his body rocking rhythmically in the saddle. She refused to believe Caroline’s assertion that Drew wasn’t interested in sex. It simply wasn’t possible.

‘No one answered the letter box and the back door was open so I thought I’d just –’ Drew stopped in mid-flight. ‘Good God!’

Maddy screamed and dived for cover.

‘I’ve closed my eyes,’ he lied, laughing. ‘You’re quite safe.’

‘Go away!’ she backed into the square bit of the kitchen, desperately trying to find the door and consequently jarring herself against the cooker.

Drew, his shoulders shaking, turned away from her. ‘Maddy, go and get dressed. I’ll go out and come in again.’

She hurtled across to her bedroom, and tugged on a pair of jeans and a navy sweater. Why hadn’t she chucked out all that ghastly underwear? Why didn’t she have a toned, tanned body? Why hadn’t she at least shaved her legs? Because, she admitted sourly to herself as she dragged her hair from the neck of the sweater, as no one was going to see it, it hadn’t mattered.

Drew had poured two mugs of coffee and was sitting at the kitchen table, his eyes deceptively innocent.

She looked at him reproachfully. ‘You should have knocked.’

‘I did. You didn’t answer. I knew you were home because it’s Friday. I didn’t expect you to be undressed.’ His eyes sparkled. ‘That was a bonus.’

‘Don’t lie.’ She picked up her coffee with shaking hands. ‘I’m surprised you’re still here. You must be very brave. Seeing me like that probably took more courage than participating in the Pardubice.’ Drew laughed. It seemed she could always make him laugh.