‘Yes, of course.’ He leaned towards her and kissed her cheek. She heard Drew’s intake of breath. ‘I’ll see you very soon. And thanks for everything.’

‘Such a handsome man,’ Caroline sighed as he closed the back door. ‘What on earth happened with him and Stacey?’

‘I’ve no idea,’ Maddy said shortly, cursing Peter Knightley to hell. ‘I’m sorry, but I’ve had several unexpected visitors and I’m a bit disorganised. If I pour drinks will you excuse me while I get changed?’

‘Please don’t change on our behalf.’ Drew said quietly. ‘I’m sure whatever is good enough for Peter Knightley is good enough for us.’

Maddy narrowed her eyes at him.

‘As you wish. I thought we’d go out into the garden. It’s so hot. I’m sure there’s going to be a storm.’

‘I’m sure there is.’ Drew stalked out through the kitchen door.

Owing to the absence of garden furniture they sat on the fallen tree trunk.

Caroline sipped her gin and tonic. ‘This is very pleasant. What a sweet little garden, Maddy. So rustic. Actually,’ she leaned forward in a wave of Joy, ‘I’ll come straight to the point of this visit. I wanted to ask you about marketing my wines.’

‘Me? I know absolutely nothing about wine. I only buy what I can afford. I prefer white to red, and only enjoy it if it sparkles.’

‘Wonderful.’ Caroline seemed impressed. ‘That’s just what I need. So many people are such snobs, I find. It’s so refreshing to find someone who tells the truth.’

‘Maddy always tells the truth,’ Drew said, examining a molehill with the toe of his desert boot. ‘Even when it hurts.’

Caroline shot a look of anger towards her husband. ‘Take no notice of him. He’s sulking because I’ve pulled off the deal with the Spanish holiday complex. He told me it was coals to Newcastle. I knew differently. You see, if they’re going to be catering for the British holidaymaker, I knew they’d be interested in British wines. People are so afraid when they go abroad, and this place does English breakfasts and roasts on Sundays. It was perfect. That’s why I’m going home. I have to be in Alicante on Monday.’

Maddy would have inwardly whooped at this information if Drew hadn’t been so po-faced about Peter. She smiled. ‘Congratulations, but I still don’t see what I can do to help.’

Maddy looked fleetingly across at Drew. If he was ever going to draw comparisons it was going to be now. Caroline, tall, slender, elegantly groomed, in pale pink trousers and a white Broderie Anglaise blouse, and Maddy in cut-off leggings, a blue T-shirt splashed with Flash, and a tangle of curls. He met her eyes for a second and looked quickly away.