Fran looked scathingly at their linked hands. ‘Well done, Maddy. Ten out of ten for staying power.’

‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ Bronwyn bellowed down the microphone. ‘We’re all here tonight to unite in a common cause. To protect the beauty and tranquillity of our village. To prevent the pillage of Milton St John!’ The village stamped its collective feet and whistled its approval.

‘Nice start,’ Drew whispered.

‘’Ello, Maddy.’ Brenda and Elaine were sitting in the row behind and had leaned forward still clapping. ‘Old Bronwyn’s a bit of a puckie, ain’t she? Bloody marvellous, the way she shouts.’

Maddy nodded. Drew looked confused. ‘A bit of a what?’

‘Puckie – it means … oh, a dark horse.’

‘And she’s not. the only one.’ Drew wriggled the brown leather flying jacket closer to Maddy’s shoulder. She leaned against it with a contented sigh.

‘Before we progress,’ Bronwyn yelled, ‘I’d like to introduce my friends.’ She turned to the dishevelled bunch beside her. ‘This is Sandra and Barry from the Twyford Down protesters, Joe and Nicky from the Batheaston site, and Peanut, who I’m sure you’ll all recognise from News at Ten.’

Milton St John craned their necks and peered. He didn’t look anything like Trevor McDonald.

Bronwyn bellowed again, ‘Peanut has been frequently televised at the Newbury bypass protest. He holds the record for chaining himself to a tree. Six days, wasn’t it, dear?’

Peanut nodded his dreadlocks. Milton St John whooped and cheered its support. There had been very strong feelings about the Newbury bypass in the village.

‘The old girl’s done her homework.’ Drew’s voice rang with admiration. ‘She’s brought in the heavy mob.’

‘I fancy the one in the bobble hat,’ Fran whispered. ‘Is that Peanut?

‘Sandra,’ Drew informed her.

The talk was rallying; a call to arms. Bernie quoted other similar cases, and how they would learn from those successes and failures. It was all very stimulating. Sandra and Barry, Joe, Nicky, and Peanut, all pledged their expertise and support. A committee, as such, was decided against at this stage. Instead it was suggested that the village used its collective muscle. The Pughs would confront the Maynard family and try to persuade them not to be swayed by vast sums of money.

‘… And,’ Bronwyn had at last got the hang of the microphone, ‘I suggest that Maddy Beckett approaches the James-Jordans regarding Goddards Spinney.’

All eyes turned to Maddy. Crimson faced she shook her head. Drew squeezed her fingers. ‘You can do it, Maddy. Diana likes you, and Gareth would be putty in your hands.’

‘Well, Maddy?’ Bronwyn was beaming.

‘Er, yes … well, yes.’

There was more clapping and foot stamping and whistling. The villagers of Milton St John didn’t get out much.

‘So, we’ll meet again in a fortnight’s time – just before The Derby.’ Bronwyn was in complete control now. ‘If peaceful negotiations have failed, we know what we have to do, don’t we?’

Milton St John didn’t. Sandra and Barry, Joe, Nicky, and Peanut raised clenched fists and yelled, ‘Fight! Fight! Fight!’