He manoeuvred them between foxtrotting couples on the tiny dance floor. ‘Drew and I get on great. I’d like to become his assistant when I’m too knackered to be his jockey. I learned a lot while he was in the States.’

She didn’t say anything. Drew had been in America and he’d brought Angie back as a souvenir.

Charlie smiled kindly. ‘Have you spoken to Mr F yet? He was not a happy bunny when he arrived at Peapods. Jetlagged to the eyeballs and storming about the house like an addict without a fix. He seemed to think I’d be with you today.’

‘Is that what you told him?’

‘I just said I’d have to stand in line behind every red- blooded male in the county.’ Charlie gave a crooked grin. ‘But I thought I was in with a chance.’

‘So you don’t know the girl he’s with today?’

Charlie laughed in her ear. ‘Ah, so that’s it? No, I don’t, Mad. Although I wouldn’t mind getting to know her. She’s a cracker. No one seems to know anything about her, although some of the boys seem to think they’ve seen her around.’

‘Her name’s Angie. Luke said he’d seen her on the circuit. I suppose that’s where Drew met her.’

‘I suppose so.’ Charlie had lost interest. Fickle in his own love-life, he could never understand other people making high drama out of failed relationships. ‘I heard that the Manor’s up for sale.’

‘Really?’ Desperately, Maddy tried to think of something other than Drew. ‘I didn’t know. I haven’t seen Peter since –’ Since the night she’d told Caroline that she and Drew were lovers, she thought, feeling sick. Years and years ago.

‘You wouldn’t. He’s left the village. I never liked the bloke. He’s pissed off to make his fortune somewhere else. Sad really, isn’t it? There’s probably some quaint and peaceful little place somewhere that doesn’t know what’s going to hit it.’

Peter had gone again. Maddy sighed. If Peter hadn’t come back to Milton St John, she wouldn’t have gone to Diana’s party, and she wouldn’t have met Drew socially straight away. If only she hadn’t gone. She swallowed. ‘If only’ was probably the most desolate phrase in the English language.

The band stopped playing. Charlie returned her to her table and drifted off looking for more receptive company. Fran and Suzy looked at her for signs of improvement, and finding none, poured her another glass of champagne.

Barty tapped the microphone which had been lowered specially. ‘Don’t all run away,’ he yelled. ‘I’m not making a speech. Kimberley and I just want to say thank you for turning up in such gratifying numbers. It really makes our special day even more special to be able to share it with all our friends.’