‘Not at all. It’s just a few friends round for the evening.’

At this rate she’d have the whole of Milton St John playing sardines in the sitting room. She poured Luke a mighty gin and tonic and introduced him to her parents, who immediately thought he was Suzy’s Young Man, and began twenty questions.

A scuffling at the front door heralded the next arrivals. Maddy opened the door, reminding herself to get the bell fixed. It was so inconvenient for people to have to squat down and rattle the letter box.

Fran, wearing the grey shift Maddy’d had to reject for Diana’s party and looking gorgeous, ushered a very subdued Richard into the hall. Maddy kissed them both.

‘He’s still down about Saratoga,’ Fran hissed. ‘I couldn’t even get him into bed.’ This was a serious depression. Fran and Richard’s marathon love-life was legendary in the village.

‘You were brilliant today, Richard. You had a winner - and you came second in the Greenham.’

‘Which is where I’ll come in The Derby, if I’m lucky.’

Richard’s normally cheerful freckled face was pale. ‘I hope you’ve got plenty of booze tonight, Maddy. I just want to drown my sorrows.’

‘Oh, loads. Most of it left from Christmas but still drinkable.’ Maddy was smiling brightly. ‘You go in and meet my parents – my dad’ll tell you how much money he’s won on you over the years. That’ll cheer you up.’

The only thing that’ll cheer me up is that shit Delaney breaking his legs.’ Richard headed for the doorway.

Maddy swallowed. She jerked her head at Fran.

‘What?’

‘There’s a bit of a problem … Luke Delaney’s in the sitting room’.

Fran dived after Richard and linked her arm through his. ‘Why don’t you stay and talk to Maddy, darling? I’ll go and get some drinks.’

‘You want me to stay in the hall?’

‘Yes.’ Fran had thrust him back against the bathroom door. ‘Maddy wants to ask you something.’

‘Do I? Oh, yes. I, er …’ Maddy floundered as Fran disappeared into the sitting room. ‘I wondered what you thought of Suzy’s performance today?’

‘Brilliant.’ Richard was twitching. ‘Why do we have to discuss this out here, Mad? Couldn’t we talk about it over a drink?’

‘Bit crowded in there. My parents – I, um, didn’t want them to hear if you thought Suzy was rubbish or anything, you know …’

‘Here we are!’ Fran was beaming like a mother soothing a recalcitrant child with an ice cream. ‘Gin. Double.’

Richard leaned against the bathroom door and gulped at his salvation while Fran sent murderous eye signals across his head. Maddy shrugged helplessly and was rescued by a further rattling of the letter box.

Bronwyn and Bernie Pugh were dressed for Going Out. They were also carrying two bottles of sweet sherry and a box of chocolates. Maddy fell on them.

‘How kind! Thank you. It’s lovely to see you both.’ She checked downwards in case her chest was escaping. She couldn’t risk another scene. ‘Please go through to the sitting room and meet my parents.’ The Pughs squeezed past Fran and Richard.