First Diana and now Stacey. Maddy tried not to smile. ‘So it’s your pride that’s hurt, not your heart?’

‘Both. Have you got a drink? I feel terrible. I’ve invested all my money in the golf course and the Manor, and nothing was finalised. I suppose I might get some of it back, but not much.’

Maddy poured him some of Bronwyn’s sweet sherry in a cup. Everything else had been tidied. ‘So does this mean you’re penniless, jobless, and homeless?’

‘Basically, yes.’ Peter swigged the sherry. ‘Shit! I don’t like sherry. Still, I suppose I’m not in a position to refuse anything now, am I?’

‘Don’t exaggerate. You’ll hardly be reduced to cardboard city, will you?’

‘No, but –’

‘Look, see what you can recoup first. You’ll be able to stay on at the Manor for a while. You’ve got loads of contacts. You’ll pull through on the material side with no problems. You’re probably not even down to your last ten thousand, are you?’

‘God, no! I’m not that broke!’

Maddy laughed bitterly. ‘Wait until you have to choose between toothpaste or soap in one week. Or whether you can face beans on toast ten days in a row.’

‘I didn’t think you were that skint. God! I couldn’t live like that.’

‘Compared to a lot of people, I’m rolling in it. At least I’ve got a roof and food and I’m warm. Welcome to the real world, Peter.’

He reached across the table and took her hands. It did nothing to her at all. He smiled. ‘I should never have let you go.’

‘I’m very glad you did.’

Sadly, when Drew and Caroline passed the open skewwhiff window, that was what they saw. Maddy, scruffy and dishevelled, holding hands across the table with Peter Knightley and staring at him with deep compassion.

‘Can we come in?’ Caroline trilled, already in. ‘I do hope we’re not interrupting?’

‘Not at all.’ Maddy almost threw Peter’s hands across the table. ‘Peter’s just leaving.’

Drew’s lips were drawn in a tight line.

‘So nice to see you again.’ Caroline was gushing all over Peter. ‘You and Stacey must come for drinks really soon.’

‘I’d love to.’ Peter’s voice was choked! ‘But I’m afraid Stacey and I are no longer together.’

‘Oh, dear, I am sorry.’ Caroline bit her lip. ‘I didn’t mean to be insensitive. How very sad.’

‘Maddy has been consoling me,’ Peter gave a wan smile. ‘She’s so good at it, and we’re such old friends …’

Drew had reached boiling point. Maddy knew it without even looking at him. She sucked in her breath. ‘I don’t want to seem rude, Peter, but I did invite Caroline and Drew.’