‘Tomorrow evening?’ Caroline continued. ‘I really do need to talk to you and something’s come up at home – oh, Jersey, I mean. I may have to go back much sooner than I’d anticipated.’

‘Oh, that’s a shame.’ May God forgive her. ‘Yes, I’ll be here tomorrow evening. Is Drew coming with you? Do you want a meal?’

‘No. No, I wouldn’t put you to that trouble. I just think you’re the only person who can help me on this one. Oh, Drew wants a word. I’ll hand you over. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.’

‘What the hell is going on?’ She whispered. ‘Is it, you know? Us?’

‘No.’ Drew’s voice was edgy. ‘We’ll see you tomorrow. Was the meeting OK?’

‘Fine. Drew, you haven’t bought Maynards Orchard, have you?’

‘No.’ He sounded puzzled. ‘I think I’d have noticed. Why?’

‘No reason. I’ll see you tomorrow evening. It’ll be better than nothing. Good night.’

‘Good night, Maddy.’ It sounded like goodbye.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-five

Fortified by Anadins, Maddy tidied like a dervish. She wanted the cottage to look its best when Caroline arrived. It seemed important.

The simmering day had melted into a pink marshmallow evening, and even with all the cottage windows open, it was still suffocatingly stuffy. If she’d had a proper garden she could take Caroline out there, as they did in all those Merchant Ivory films. They could link arms and stroll leisurely amongst fragrant flower beds while Caroline exclaimed rapturously over the vista. As it was, thirty strides forward would bring them slap up against the water butt, and twenty the other way would find them amongst the dustbins and back-door debris.

‘This is a flying visit, the kids are in the car so I can’t stop.’ Fran crashed into the kitchen. ‘Have you got the Health and Safety people coming round?’

‘Caroline.’ Maddy paused in the middle of scrubbing the draining board.

‘Oh? Can I stay and watch?’

‘No, you can’t. It’s a social visit.’

‘Not a “keep your hands off my husband” visit? Are you sure?’

‘Positive. You look very done up. Are you going out?’

‘The evening meeting at Windsor. Richard’s got four rides.’

‘Luke and Suzy have gone, too.’ Maddy rinsed the dishcloth and picked at a lump of congealed bolognaise on the tap. ‘Did you want anything in particular, or was this a scouting party for the jungle drums?’

‘You have such faith in your friends,’ Fran laughed. ‘Yes and no. I’d heard about the orchard and wondered if Mr Fitzgerald had bought it.’

‘No, he hasn’t. And don’t ask me who has because I don’t know. Next?’

‘What do you reckon to Kimberley and Barty?’

‘Fantastic. I’m pleased for them, even if it isn’t the love match of the century. Aren’t you?’