Everyone clapped. It was a very popular match.

‘The one piece of news I wanted to share with you today is one that we have been keeping secret until the last minute.’

‘Christ!’ Suzy removed her hands from undoing Luke’s shirt buttons. ‘She can’t be pregnant, can she? Not Kimberley? She’s practically geriatric!’

Fran, who was two years older, jabbed Suzy’s arm. Suzy blushed. ‘Oh, sorry, Fran. You just seem so much younger.’

‘It’s not perfect, but it’ll do.’ Fran sank back in her chair, mollified.

‘We just wanted you all to know that Kimberley’s yard was sold yesterday, and that the new owner will be taking over at the end of the flat season, although he will be moving in gradually all through the autumn. I know you’ll make him very welcome in his transition from Newmarket. Milton St John is very lucky to have him. I know Lambourn were hoping for him …’

‘Who is it?’ Bronwyn shouted, obviously praying for the new Henry Cecil or Luca Cumani. ‘Get on with it, Barty.’

‘Your new neighbour will be Emilio Marquez.’

There was a wave of excitement and speculation and laughter. Maddy just stared. The only two people in the marquee who seemed unfazed were Diana and Luke. Of course, Mitchell D’Arcy split his horses between Emilio and the James-Jordans. He’d probably pillow-talked information to Diana. It would mean he’d have all the more reason to be in the village. Maddy looked at Gareth, who seemed delighted, and felt very sorry for him.

Suzy glared at Luke. ‘You bloody knew! Didn’t you?’

‘Well, yes.’ Luke was grinning. ‘But I was sworn to secrecy. I was bound to know, Suze – I am his stable jockey.’

‘Bastard!’ Suzy hissed lovingly. ‘We’re supposed to share everything – oh!’

‘Yes, it does mean I’ll be living here. He nuzzled her neck. ‘If you can stand it …’

There won’t be much standing done, Maddy thought, gazing at them over the table. Why did everyone else seem to be so hopelessly happy? She suddenly realised that Suzy was talking to her.

‘I said, Luke can move into the cottage, can’t he, Mad? Until he finds a place in the village?’

‘What? Oh, yes, of course …’ Her heart plummeted even further floorwards. How on earth was she going to cope with Luke and Suzy’s exuberant loving all day every day when she felt as dried up and wasted as an empty husk?

The reception pulsed on into the evening. The band had been replaced by a disco. The flashing lights and throbbing bass found an echo in Maddy’s head.