‘Don’t go any further,’ Maddy stormed. ‘Yes, I’m well aware that golf courses are beautifully landscaped, but what do we need with man-made beauty when we’ve got the real thing right here? Oh, run off back to Peter and Daddy and tell them you failed – on all counts. I will not change my mind about the golf course, and I’m bloody well not going to apologise to you for anything I said or did – now or ever. Understand?’

‘You’re weird.’ Stacey turned away. ‘I don’t know why anyone should get so upset about a few old trees. And,’ she looked slyly over her thin shoulders. ‘I told Peter that you said he was crap in bed – which he isn’t – and he laughed and said that was rich coming from you. He said you just used to lie there. He said you didn’t know what you were supposed to be doing. He said he had to show you how to do everything.’

Maddy wanted to shout every obscenity she had ever heard. Suzy would have reacted in that way – Fran, too. That was what Stacey expected. So instead, she smiled. Slowly and knowingly.

‘Stacey? Does Peter like you to wear riding boots in bed?’

‘What?’ The slender young-old face was scornful. ‘Don’t be silly. ’Course not.’

‘Then ask him if you should. You never know, he might be delighted …’

Maddy turned away to hide her grin. That should rattle him sufficiently to keep him and the bimbo stick-insect from pestering her in future. There was a stirring at the entrance to the orchard as Bronwyn took the microphone. Maddy frowned. She’d thought it was just a gathering to display mass protest; she hadn’t realised it was going to be a rally.

‘Villagers!’ Bronwyn bellowed. ‘Thank you for turning out in such large numbers tonight to show our unity in saving our natural heritage.’

There was a roar of support. The cameras trained first on Bronwyn and then panned across the crowd. People waved at them. Reporters from the local press scribbled diligently.

‘The purpose of this meeting is to demonstrate to those who want to destroy our village, that we – the people who matter – will not allow it!’

Another roar. Maddy watched the faces. They were enjoying themselves. Diana and Gareth moved towards Peter, Stacey, and Jeff Henley. Bronwyn pointed towards them. ‘I’m pleased that Mr and Mrs James-Jordan, Mr Knightley, and Mr Henley are with us tonight. I think that now they may begin to see how unpopular their proposal is.’

The crowd hissed and booed. Diana and Peter remained boot faced. Gareth smiled winningly at the crowd.

Bronwyn coughed into the microphone. ‘Paul and Phil Maynard are here with us to lend their support. They don’t want to see Maynards Orchard destroyed. They are prepared to stand up to their father on this vital issue. Are you?’