‘And since when have you a say in the vineyard? Either the production or the marketing?’ Caroline’s eyes flashed. ‘Really, Drew. Do I tell you how to train horses? Of course not. And everyone that I spoke to was extremely keen.’

‘But it was The Derby.’ Drew pulled a knife through the luscious tenderness of a peach. ‘You really shouldn’t.’

‘I think it was a great idea.’ Peter’s voice was rich with admiration. ‘I always try to promote my business wherever I go. You simply have to these days.’ He smiled at Caroline. ‘I think it was very enterprising of you.’

Drew stabbed a grape. Maddy tried to remove her thigh from the attentions of Charlie’s left hand. He grinned at her. ‘Can’t blame me for trying.’

‘At least I have some support.’ Caroline turned her pussy-cat smile to Peter. ‘Which makes a pleasant change.’

Bronwyn Pugh, sensing an impending row, cut huge chunks of cheese for everyone and dished them out, more or less the same way that she did in the shop. Maddy’s parents were talking about Suzy to Kit and Rosa, and didn’t seem to notice the plunging temperature.

‘How about some music?’ Charlie smiled lopsidedly along the table at Caroline. He was a nice man who didn’t like friction – at least, not when it wasn’t instigated by him. ‘After all, this is supposed to be a celebration, and it’s in danger of turning into a wake. Have you got something lively?’

Drew shot him a grateful glance and there was a lot of chair scraping as everyone moved away from the table.

‘Show me what music you’ve got,’ Charlie was saying to Caroline. ‘That’s a seriously impressive sound system. And some great CDs. ’

‘How was Diana today?’ Peter stood beside Maddy, ostensibly gazing out over the dusky gardens. ‘Pleased?’

‘Delirious,’ Maddy said shortly. ‘And you’ve got a nerve. I wouldn’t have thought you’d ever mention her name to me after –’

‘You are so sweet, Maddy.’ His voice oozed insincerity. ‘I don’t know why you get so hung up about sex. Anyway, if it makes you happy, Diana and I are no longer, um, friends. There is no danger of you catching us in flagrante again.’

Maddy blushed. It still embarrassed her. ‘So you’re being faithful to Stacey, are you?’

Peter’s eyes strayed across the garden to where Stacey and Bronwyn appeared to be arguing. ‘Jesus, she’s probably going on about the golf course. I told her to leave it tonight.’ He turned his head and looked at Maddy for a long time. ‘Sometimes I realise what a mistake I made. Stacey is such a child … I don’t suppose there’s any chance that we could go out for a meal some time, Mad? Just for old times’ sake?’