The arrival of her parents in their battered Capri was something of a relief. At least it took her mind off Caroline and Drew being together. Her mother had brought their Epsom outfits on hangers covered in swathes of plastic bags, and her racegoing wedding hat, and immediately commandeered Maddy’s bedroom. Maddy’s dad commandeered what was left of the Glenfiddich. She was delighted to see them.

So was Suzy. She had gone straight from her stint at John Hastings’ to Peapods to ride Dock of the Bay’s last piece of work before his departure for Epsom that evening, and came back wreathed in smiles. After greeting her parents and accepting their compliments over her new hair-do, she dragged Maddy into the kitchen.

‘Kit Pedersen is gorgeous. And Rosa is so sweet. She used to be a jockey. We got on really well. They were so nice to me, Mad. I can’t let them down.’

‘What about Caroline?’

‘Oh, she was cool, you know.’

‘Cool as in super trendy laid back, or cool as in distant as befits her behaviour towards the relative of someone who has slept with her husband?’

‘The former. And isn’t that just the stupidest way to describe having sex? I mean, “sleeping” is the last thing you do, isn’t it?’

‘Hush!’ Maddy flashed anguished glances towards the sitting room. ‘We’ve still got to explain you and Luke to Mum and Dad. When’s he arriving?’

‘Oh, he’s already here. He’s been up at Diana and Gareth’s getting his last-minute work and instructions. Look.’ She pulled down the shoulder of her T-shirt, displaying a whole new batch of glaring love bites.

‘Jesus!’ Maddy sighed. ‘How did you manage that?’

‘The tack room.’ Suzy started hacking at the last loaf of bread and reached for a pot of plum jam. ‘Where there’s a will there’s a way.’

Maddy raised her eyes to heaven and filled the kettle. No doubt her parents would be gasping for a cup of tea.

Drew phoned her at nine o’clock. ‘We’ve decided to go down tonight. To get Dock of the Bay settled. I know Suzy’s driving down first thing with Luke. Kit and Rosa were very impressed with her. Your parents OK?’

‘Fine, thanks. Drew –’

‘Good. And you’ll definitely be on the bus, won’t you?’

‘Yes. Drew, is –’

‘What was the hat like?’

‘Amazing. Drew, is Caroline there with you?’

‘Yes, that’s right.’

She felt bitterly ashamed. It was all so underhand. She swallowed. ‘Right, then. I’ll see you somewhere in the grandstand tomorrow.’

‘Yes.’

‘I love you.’

‘Likewise,’ Drew said, with appalling pain in his voice.

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Derby Day dawned, as forecast, hot and sunny. Those of Milton St John who had not already departed for the Surrey Downs were gathered outside the Village Stores.

‘I wouldn’t wear your hat yet, Mum.’ Maddy leaned towards her mother. ‘Not if you’re intending to sit on the top deck for the journey. You’ll lose it before we get out of the village.’