Maddy lifted her chin. ‘Yes, well, it isn’t. Are you and Barty having a honeymoon?’

‘Yes. Right in the middle of the season, too. I thought he’d make me wait. He’s arranged for his assistant to take over the yard and we’re going to cruise on the Oriana. The high life, or what?’

‘God.’ Maddy was impressed. ‘You lucky thing!’

‘Anyway, we’ve got to circulate.’ Kimberley grinned down at Barty. ‘But you take care, my dear. Enjoy the rest of today, and don’t brood on Drew. Miracles do happen.’

Not in Milton St John, Maddy thought sadly, watching Kimberley and Barty swallowed up by more wellwishers. Not twice. It had been a miracle that had brought her and Drew together. You didn’t get a second shot.

The reception roared on. Unable to eat, Maddy drank everything that was put in front of her and stayed boringly sober. She watched feverishly as Drew and Angie talked and laughed together at their table on the far side of the marquee. They were sitting with John Hastings and Diana and Gareth.

Luke squinted across at them. ‘I’ve seen her around the racecourses, I’m sure I have. Not for some time, but I know her face.’

‘You probably know a lot more than that,’ Suzy giggled, squirming herself on to his lap. As Kimberley’s witness, she’d worn a short, cream shift dress and cream canvas boots with red roses fastened in her short white hair. She looked gorgeous.

‘Do you want me to ask, Mad?’ Luke was deadly serious for once. ‘Shall I find out who she is?’

‘No.’ Maddy shook her head violently. ‘I don’t want him to know that I’m interested. Anyway, it doesn’t matter now, does it?’

They looked at her with sadness.

‘Do you want to dance?’ Charlie Somerset loomed over the table. ‘I’ve exhausted all the girls on the other side of the tent.’

‘No,’ Maddy said.

Fran looked up. ‘Of course she does. And try and get her to eat something.’

‘Yeah, I thought you’d been on a diet.’ Charlie’s eyes roamed across her body. ‘You shouldn’t, Maddy. Your curves were the best in the village.’

She tried to smile and failed miserably. Glaring at Fran she allowed Charlie to haul her to her feet. The band was playing Gershwin. Maddy wanted to throttle all of them. Charlie moved as well when he danced as he did when he rode. Maddy stumped, stiff legged, not caring.

‘Are you still going to be living at Peapods?’ she asked, wanting to talk about Drew however obliquely. ‘Now that Drew’s back.’

‘Oh, yeah. The stable flat is mine for as long as I’m riding his jumpers – which I hope will be until I’m too old and arthritic to ride anything …’ He laughed lasciviously. ‘So I’ll still be nice and handy.’