‘That’s Suzy’s opinion of him, definitely.’ Maddy grinned. ‘I haven’t spoken to Diana yet – she’s not been at home when I’ve been cleaning – but now Bronwyn has volunteered me to plead the cause for the spinney I might as well mention the Derby ride.’

‘Don’t bother.’ Fran unlocked her car. ‘It’s sweet of you to offer, Mad, but there really isn’t any point. Richard is just going to have to face it. Anyway, if Diana is having an affair with Mitchell D’Arcy, I can’t see anything changing her mind. ’ She slid into the driving seat. ‘You go and have a drink for me, and enjoy yourselves. Don’t worry about The Derby or the bloody golf course tonight. Just enjoy yourselves.’ Fran started the car and leaned from the window. ‘I still think you’re playing with fire, Mad. You know that. But I’m your friend – I’m pretty good at bandaging burnt fingers.’

She drove away with a wave, and Drew unlocked the Mercedes. ‘Will you risk a drink at the Cat and Fiddle, or is that stretching the friendship too far?’

‘To breaking point, but what the heck.’ Maddy climbed into the passenger seat. ‘We’ve been seen together all evening, I don’t see what harm it’ll do.’

They drove along the wet road in convoy, everyone else having the same idea. Maddy was pleased that Fran and Richard’s marriage seemed to be back on an even keel. They had always been her rock, her little bit of stability, in their togetherness. It had upset her dreadfully to witness the anger and bitterness at her party.

Her own proposed confrontation with Diana and Gareth made her squirm. She wasn’t looking forward to it. Naturally peaceable, she disliked any sort of argument, and Diana was going to argue about the spinney, Maddy knew she was. If Bronwyn Pugh had grasped the right end of the stick, and Diana was embroiled in some sort of relationship with Peter Knightley, then it was going to be nearly impossible. And she was sure she’d caught the vibes of something between them at that drinks party … But would Diana be playing fast and loose with Peter and Mitchell D’Arcy?

‘You’re very quiet.’ Drew steered the Mercedes expertly into a gap in the Cat and Fiddle’s car park. ‘Are you having second thoughts?’

‘And thirds and fourths. But not about this.’ She smiled at him. ‘We both deserve this.’

The pub was packed but they managed to find a table poked away in the corner at the furthest end from the juke box. Drew bought her a double whisky.

‘Are my drinking habits that renowned?’

‘You seemed to enjoy it at your party.’ Drew drank half his beer in one draught. ‘Maddy, will you come out with me?’

She looked around the Cat and Fiddle. ‘We are out.’