‘It didn’t seem the right time. There seemed to be more important issues at stake that night.’

‘Yes, there were, weren’t there?’

‘I am very sorry.’ Maddy’s voice was a squeak. ‘For hurting you. I didn’t mean to, and it won’t happen again. Drew and I aren’t …’ She stopped and clattered around again with the cups.

‘So I gathered.’ Caroline smoothed her neat peach dress. ‘Maddy, before we discuss any of that, there are things that need to be said. I tried ringing you.’

‘Did you?’ Maddy placed two white cups and the mammoth teapot on the table. She couldn’t find any saucers and anyway, it was far too late to fuss about being genteel. ‘I haven’t answered the phone much, and I told Suzy just to say I was out if you called.’

Caroline raised her sleepy eyes. ‘I was hurt, but not surprised. You weren’t predatory, just friendly. Over the years I’ve watched other women throw themselves at Drew with fervour in their eyes. You were different.’

‘It doesn’t matter,’ Maddy said again, feeling ashamed. Caroline was so dignified. In her place she’d have probably screamed like a banshee. ‘I should never have let myself become so close to him. He was lonely – I didn’t have that excuse.’

‘Please listen. You didn’t wreck our marriage. It was well into injury time. You weren’t the cause, Maddy. You were possibly the catalyst, but definitely not the cause. If we’d had a proper marriage, Drew would never have left Jersey – or if he had, I would have come with him. Drew could have left me on numerous occasions.’

‘You had lovers?’ Maddy spluttered into her cup. ‘But you said that you weren’t interested –’

Caroline almost smiled. ‘No, I didn’t have lovers. There are other reasons for a relationship dying than the appearance of a third party.’

Maddy’s head ached. The clock ticked slowly in the solid atmosphere. She emptied her cup and poured another. Her mouth was dust dry after so much champagne.

‘I was completely unsupportive during the time he was riding. I was useless when his parents died. I was utterly selfish, Maddy. I cared about my business first and Drew second. I always have. Oh, I suppose I loved him but I should never have married him.’

‘So, why …?’ Maddy was desperate to know.