Maddy swallowed. It was typical of Peter. He could have stopped all this a long time ago, but he enjoyed seeing people stirred up. The media were packing up, deprived of anything but a filler item. Diana and Gareth were shaking hands with Peter and Jeff Henley. Bernie Pugh had disappeared. If only Bronwyn had looked at the plans first, Maddy thought sadly, then all this would have been unnecessary.

‘Ladies and gentlemen …’ Bronwyn’s voice wavered. ‘I suggest that we call a halt to this evening’s protest. In the light of Mr Knightley’s information,’ she shot Peter a glance that should have shrivelled him on the spot, ‘I will take it upon myself to inspect the plans. We will still have the meeting in the village hall next week, as planned, to discuss our next move.’

But people weren’t listening. The impetus had gone. Peter was as bloody-minded as ever. Maddy watched him kissing Diana’s powdered cheek. He knew exactly when to play his trump card. Everyone had begun to drift away from the orchard.

Having been robbed of any further free entertainment, the stable lads started lobbing lager cans at each other.

Diana, sweeping regally away from the throng between Peter and Jeff Henley, stopped. ‘I trust none of you works for me.’

They shook their heads. Most of them had done at one time, but Diana was notorious for shedding her stable staff as regularly as she shed her lovers. She was not a popular employer. Ignoring her, they continued to play catch with the empty cans.

Diana peered at them. They all looked the same to her. ‘If any of you works for me, you can pick up your cards in the morning.’

‘Well, we don’t.’ Jason, Suzy’s friend, smiled amiably. ‘So, sod off.’

‘Excuse me,’ Diana bridled. ‘What did you say?’

‘Sod off,’ Jason repeated, still smiling. ‘We’re not doing any harm.’

‘Just enjoying ourselves.’ Olly backed up his room-mate. ‘Like you do, Mrs J-J, except we do it with our clothes on.’ This caused uproarious laughter. The stable staff were well aware of Diana’s predilections.

Suzy was sniggering. Diana, her face scarlet, grabbed her shoulder. ‘And just what do you find so funny, Suzy Beckett? What has your sister said to you?’

Suzy looked at Diana in astonishment. ‘Nothing. I don’t know what you mean. And let go of me, please.’

Maddy had watched with amusement until then. Somehow, Suzy shaking Diana’s hand away resulted in a bit of a scuffle. Jason and Olly, Suzy’s long time defenders, leapt to their feet. Maddy took two steps forward.

‘Oh, I say!’ Gareth brayed, just as Diana, smartly dressed in a taupe trouser suit, toppled into the stream.