‘I think we have a lot of things to discuss.’ Caroline made it sound like she was opening a board meeting. ‘Perhaps we could talk about them later, Maddy?’

‘You don’t need to talk to me about them at all. You need to talk to Drew. God Almighty, Caroline! Take him home and drag him into bed! You say you love him, then for God’s sake show him!’

‘Actually –’ Caroline started, but Maddy never heard the rest of the sentence.

Charlie Somerset, hair flaming in the setting sun, appeared around the side of the cottage. He looked at the angry faces, shrugged helplessly at Maddy, then crossed the grass quickly to Drew. ‘Phone call. Urgent.’

‘Shit.’ Drew’s shoulders were hunched in anger. ‘Won’t it wait?’

‘’Fraid not. It’s not something I can deal with.’

‘OK.’ Drew looked at Caroline. ‘Are you coming?’

‘In a moment. I haven’t quite finished.’ She waited, her face composed, until Drew and Charlie had disappeared, then smiled. ‘I suppose you do know why Drew and I will never separate?’

‘The baby …’ Maddy bit her lip. ‘He told me. It must have been awful, but –’

Caroline laughed harshly. ‘The baby! My convenient miscarriage! He’s been trotting that one out again, has he? Dear, dear. You really mustn’t believe everything Drew tells you, Maddy. I’m afraid he’s been playing for sympathy. Yes, there was a miscarriage, but Drew doesn’t stay with me because of that.’ Her eyes flashed. ‘Drew stays with me, Maddy, because I own him. I own Peapods. I’m financing his little venture. He couldn’t be a trainer without my money. It all comes down to cash in the end. As does everything. So, I’m not the only one who doesn’t always tell the truth. I’m afraid, my dear, that Drew has been lying to you all along.’

Charlie appeared around the side of the cottage again and motioned to Caroline.

‘Bugger off,’ Maddy snarled, hating Caroline, loathing Drew, and taking it out on Charlie. ‘We’re busy.’

‘Sorry.’ Charlie shook his head. ‘Caroline, the phone call – it’s your mother ringing from Jersey.’

‘Oh, I do hope there isn’t a problem with the Alicante deal.’ Caroline sighed crossly. ‘Very well, I’ll come now. I don’t think there’s any more to be said here.’

‘No, there isn’t.’ Maddy’s teeth were chattering. ‘You’ve made everything very clear, thank you.’ She raised her eyes as Drew appeared again behind Charlie. ‘And you’d better go as well!’

‘Maddy!’ Charlie hissed as Drew took Caroline’s arm. ‘For Christ’s sake! Her mother’s on the phone because her father has had a heart attack. He died fifteen minutes ago.’