‘He won’t give up.’ Luke spoke in the darkness. ‘I know Drew too well. He’s never even looked at anyone else before. It was so special, you and him. Jesus, Maddy. I know it’s the wrong time to say it, but Caroline is a frigid bitch who only cares about her business. You made Drew so happy – the happiest I have ever seen him.’

‘But he lied to me. He told me that he only stayed with Caroline because he felt so guilty. It wasn’t true. He stayed with her because she’s got the money that keeps him going. He’s not only a liar, he’s a gold-digger. He’s married and I should never have got involved. I should never have believed him.’

Suzy stroked Luke’s black hair. ‘But if they split up now? Where’s the problem?’

‘They’ll never split up,’ Maddy croaked. ‘He won’t leave her because Peapods is all he’s ever wanted. No Caroline – no Peapods. It’s like bloody Peter and the bimbo stick-insect in reverse.’

‘It isn’t and you know it!’ Suzy stormed. ‘You love each other!’

‘Correction. I love Drew. Drew loves being a trainer. Without his wife’s financial backing he’ll lose it all.’

‘So what are you going to do?’ Suzy frowned through the streaked kohl. ‘When he does eventually come back to Milton St John?’

‘Pretend none of this ever happened. Let Drew and Caroline get on with their sad and financially knotted marriage and smile politely if we happen to meet. Turning Peapods into the best yard in Milton St John is all Drew wants. And that’s what he’s going to have. I always thought I couldn’t compete with Caroline. Now I know I can’t. I’ll probably never speak to him again.’

‘You can’t!’ Suzy narrowed her eyes.

‘Watch me,’ Maddy groaned, shakily getting to her feet and tottering towards the bathroom. ‘Just bloody watch me.’

It was long after midnight when the phone rang. Luke had retrieved it from the oven gloves on his way to Suzy’s bed.

‘Can we talk?’ Drew’s voice hissed through the darkness. ‘Your mobile is switched off and the phone has been off the hook.’

‘I know. There’s nothing to say.’

‘There’s a hell of a lot. Don’t you dare hang up on me.’

‘Don’t bark orders at me.’ Maddy winced at her bloated face in the hall mirror. ‘How’s Caroline?’

‘Sleeping. The doctor gave both her and her mother a sedative. I’m ringing from Bonne Nuit.’

‘Oh.’ Maddy would, never see Bonne Nuit now. ‘Tell her how sorry I am. I’m sure she won’t want to hear it, but tell her anyway.’

‘I will. Maddy –’

‘Don’t bother, Drew. Please don’t insult my intelligence any more.’