In racing, success lasts only until the next race, and already everyone was preparing for the Coronation Cup. Drew had disappeared to attend to Dock of the Bay, Kit and Rosa were talking to John Francombe, and Suzy had dived off in the direction of the changing rooms. Caroline swept across, her eyes shining.

‘Wasn’t that wonderful? We’ll really have something to celebrate tonight.’ She beamed at Mr and Mrs Beckett. ‘I’m having an impromptu get-together when we return to Peapods. Bronwyn and Bernie have already said they’ll be coming. You’ll be there of course?’

Maddy’s heart plummeted to the soles of her green shoes as her parents accepted. She’d never get Drew on his own, not with that sort of vigilante presence.

‘We’d love to.’ Mrs Beckett’s voice was squeaky from so much shouting. The wedding hat was askew. ‘Can we see Suzy, do you think ?’

‘Of course.’ Caroline looked over her shoulder. ‘If you speak to the steward over there, I’ll pop across to meet you.’

Maddy was blatantly excluded from this invitation and started to move away. Mr Beckett grabbed her hand. ‘Don’t go too far away, Maddy, love.’ He’d just calculated the extent of his winnings and was sweating. ‘We’ve got some celebrating to do.’

‘Oh, save all that for tonight,’ Caroline trilled. ‘We’d got a cellar full of Dom Perignon just in case. It’s going to be such fun. Drew and I haven’t entertained for ages.

That’s not the only thing you and Drew haven’t done for ages, Maddy thought bitchily, as she fought her way against the tide of people back towards the Grandstand. She felt strangely depressed. Delight for Suzy, and Drew, and Dock of the Bay, had splintered into a biting loneliness.

Drew would be surrounded by his entourage and his wife. Again, everyone had someone. Even John Hastings, who normally shunned female companionship, had hired himself a Page Three lookalike for the day. Maddy longed to be with Drew, to be able to congratulate him, to share his joy. The game rules of The Other Woman were becoming increasingly clear. She wasn’t sure she could adhere to them.

Disconsolately, she drifted behind the stands where the caterers cursed her for getting in the way, and people stood in laughing, chattering groups. The sun, spiralling in a still-cloudless sky, hadn’t penetrated between the high buildings, and it was grey and cold.

‘Jesus Christ! I thought I’d never escape! And then I thought I’d never find you. Thank God for Kimberley’s hat!’ Drew’s arms encircled her waist, dragging her back against him. ‘Holy hell, Maddy –’ He stopped and laughed at her. ‘God, I’ve spent far too long with Suzy.’ He surveyed her steadily. ‘I have never wanted anyone more in all my life.’