‘Trying to get in with Dock of the Bay.’ Maddy dashed her tears away, not that it mattered. They looked like raindrops. ‘I think he’s OK.’

‘I’ll just get him into his box and check him over. He’s been in love with Dock of the Bay ever since he arrived. I didn’t check that part of the yard. I thought the gate was locked. God, Maddy, I’ll never be able to thank you enough.’

‘It’s OK.’ Her teeth were chattering. ‘I was just being neighbourly. I’ll go now.’

‘No!’ Drew’s shout was drowned by thunder. Solomon rolled his eyes and flattened his ears. ‘Go into the house and have a shower. Get warm and dry. I’ll just settle Solomon down and I’ll come in.’

‘I’ve got hot water at home,’ Maddy started. ‘I wouldn’t want to impose.’

‘You’re not bloody imposing,’ Drew roared. ‘And if you haven’t got power in the cottage how the hell do you expect to have a shower or a bath or even get warm?’

‘You haven’t got any power either.’

‘No, but I’ve got a separate steam shower system – thanks to the Knightley Health Studios – and every candle in Christendom burning. You know where it all is. I won’t be long.’

‘What about Angie? What shall I say to her?’

‘Maddy.’ Drew’s eyes narrowed. His face was dark. ‘ Just for once do as you’re bloody told.’

‘But Angie …?’

‘Isn’t here!’ Drew roared again. ‘Now for God’s sake go and dry yourself before I have your death on my hands. I’m prepared to feel a lot of things for you, Maddy, but guilt over your death isn’t one of them!’

Grinning, Maddy slithered away towards the house.

She squelched out of Suzy’s Doc Martens in the hall and dropped her soggy jacket beside them. The Knightsbridge dress clung to her like a second skin. Peapods throbbed warmly thanks to the extra water heating system, and glowed gorgeously in the light of massed candles. Maddy dived into the shower room. Drew didn’t have odds and sods of candles jammed in wine bottles. He had tall elegant white wax sticks flickering in unison in various ornate candelabra.