She turned the key. Nothing. She tried again. The engine didn’t even whimper. There was a strange buzzing noise. Pushing her ear against the dashboard, Maddy cursed. Suzy had left the radio on all night. The battery was as flat as a squashed hedgehog.

‘Bugger!’

There was no one she could ask for help. She wasn’t sure if she needed a battery charger or jump leads, and if she’d had them she wouldn’t have had any idea what to do with them. She could hardly go and interrupt them at Peapods, and Suzy wouldn’t be home until late. And she’d promised Caroline Fitzgerald a dinner party! With two beef burgers, one small pizza, and a packet of kippers.

Of course, there was a solution, but was she brave enough to face the glacial Bronwyn Pugh after all this time? She really should have apologised straight away. She slammed out of the car vowing to kill Suzy. She’d just have to be brave enough …

Bronwyn Pugh was stacking freshly cut blocks of cheese into the chiller cabinet when Maddy pinged open the door.

‘Won’t keep you a mo,’ she called. ‘I’m nearly done. Ah, there we are.’ She straightened up and the smile of greeting died ‘Oh! You’re something of a stranger. We haven’t seen you in here since –’

‘No,’ Maddy said quickly. ‘I meant to come in straight away and apologise, but the longer I left it the more difficult it became. Like putting off a dentist’s appointment.’

Bronwyn’s frown was a killer. Maddy gulped. ‘No, I don’t mean … oh, look, I’m really sorry. I honestly didn’t mean to insult either you or Bernie. My mouth was out of control.’

‘And not only your mouth.’ The lips had turned practically inside-out.

‘Mrs Pugh – Bronwyn …’

‘I think it better be Mrs Pugh, don’t you? Under the circumstances.’

‘Mrs Pugh, please listen. I’m having a dinner party. Tomorrow night, and …’ Suddenly Maddy had a surge of inspiration. She almost clapped her hands. ‘A dinner party, for you and Mr Pugh. To say sorry. To apologise for my behaviour.’ She hurled in her trump card. ‘I’ve invited both the Fitzgeralds from Peapods.’

‘Both?’ The eyes glinted. ‘Is she over, then? I didn’t know that.’

Maddy sensed victory. ‘She – Caroline – only arrived this morning. I told her that you and Mr Pugh were the hub of this village and that she really had to meet you. She was very enthusiastic. Mrs Pugh, you can’t let her down.’

Maddy held her breath. The eyes softened. The mouth became less harsh.

‘Oh, well, in that case …’

Maddy wanted to turn cartwheels. Instead, she left the shop, her credit limit extended, with everything she wanted, and two dinner guests that she didn’t.

‘We’ll be there at eight,’ Mrs Pugh called as Maddy balanced the carrier bags on her bicycle. ‘And just to show that I’m not one to bear a grudge, you can call me Bronwyn.’

Maddy unloaded the shopping and began a concentrated cottage clean-up. It had been ages since she’d entertained, and tomorrow night’s guests were going to be a pretty mixed bunch. She’d be the odd one out again. She’d have to ask Suzy to stay in and make an even number.