‘Not got a clue.’ Barty was practically hung round her neck. ‘But whoever it is must have a hell of a bank balance. I felt quite sorry for young Peter. I wonder where that leaves him?’

Maddy shook her head. ‘God knows. I suppose he’d relied on the golf course to fund his standard of living at the Manor. Still, knowing Peter, he’ll have some other scheme up his sleeve. I’m pleased that the spinney and the orchard will stay untouched, though.’

‘Me too.’ Kimberley pulled Barty’s hand through the crook of her arm and nearly yanked him off his feet. ‘I’d love to be a fly on Diana’s wall. I bet she’s spitting blood.’

‘Serves ’em all right,’ Barty said smugly. ‘Now, are you going to join us for a quick drink, Maddy?’

She shook her head. ‘I’ll leave you lovebirds alone, thanks all the same.’

Her stomach ached again. She just wanted to go home and put her feet up. Suzy would be at the Cat and Fiddle. Drew was out at his cosy dinner a deux . It would be nice to curl up in her quilted dressing gown with a cup of hot chocolate and some more Anadin.

The walls were rocking when she unlocked the front door. Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits could have been heard clearly in Newbury. Feeling lousy, she threw open the sitting room door.

‘Hi, Mad.’ Suzy sat up on the sofa wearing nothing but a smile. ‘You’re back early.’

Luke gave his usual heartbreaking grin and strategically placed a cushion to cover his nakedness. It was fairly ineffective. ‘I thought I’d surprise you, but it seems like you’ve surprised us.’

‘Yes, it does rather,’ Maddy said weakly, and turned the stereo down. ‘Don’t mind me, children. I needed an early night.’

Suzy tugged her T-shirt over her head. ‘Shall I bring you a hot water bottle? And some cocoa?’

‘I could read to you if you liked.’ Luke was trying to put both his legs into one of his jeans. ‘I know some really good bedtime stories.’

‘I bet you do.’ Maddy smiled at them both. ‘I’ll pass on the stories, but the rest sounds lovely.’

She’d got as far as the bedroom door when the phone rang.

‘Maddy? Hello, it’s Caroline. I’ve been itching to ring you all evening but Drew said you’d probably gone to the meeting. How did it go?’

‘Quietly.’

‘Oh, good. Maddy, I have a proposition. Could I come and see you?’

‘What, now?’ Maddy’s heart plummeted.

‘Not now.’ Caroline’s laugh tinkled. ‘We’re still in the restaurant. Drew’s practically chewing the table because I’ve commandeered the mobile phone all evening. Still, you know what it’s like, you being a businesswoman.’

Maddy didn’t.