So impromptu, Maddy thought, that you had time to remove everything and slip into a pair of handy riding boots. She looked at Diana. ‘I don’t want to talk about my relationship with Peter – or yours, come to that. All I need to know is whether you’re prepared to change your mind about the golf course.’

‘Absolutely not. We’re going to be shareholders. It’s what Milton St John needs. Something to give it a bit of class, for heaven’s sake. I mean, Maddy, look at this tonight. A barbecue. It’s so tacky. No, I’m firmly behind Peter on the golf course.’

‘And under him on the desk.’

‘Oh, well, if that’s your attitude, I’m sorry, Maddy. You must do your worst. I will not budge.’

‘You haven’t even mentioned Gareth.’

Diana flicked at her cream jacket and laughed. ‘Darling, Gareth wouldn’t believe you in a million years. And I’m sure dear little Stacey wouldn’t either if you told her. You can’t prove anything. All I want is your assurance that you accept the incident for what it was. A couple of like-minded people who got carried away in the heat of the moment. Something you stumbled upon, and, as a lady, will not breathe a word about to anyone else.’

‘Why should I keep quiet?’ Maddy really didn’t care very much about anything any more. ‘And how can you be so sure that no one would believe me? Stacey’s father, for instance.’

‘Because, darling, you know exactly what Peter looks like in the buff. Everyone knows that. You couldn’t prove a thing.’

Maddy had a sudden vision of Peter and Diana. Of Peter’s all-over tan and the star-shaped mole. Of Diana’s spread eagled leg …

‘Very true. But would either Gareth – or Mitchell D’Arcy – be interested in my description of the riding boots and that port wine stain just below your hip?’

Diana blanched and swayed. Maddy felt sorry for her. A thrush sang merrily just above them. Her lips tightened. ‘You wouldn’t? Not to Mitchell.’

Maddy shook her head. She couldn’t continue with this. She didn’t want to hurt Diana. ‘Oh, forget it. We’ll carry on with the battle to save the spinney. I’ll tell Bronwyn Pugh that you’re still intending to sell it to Peter and Jeff Henley. I’ll forget what I saw, and we won’t mention it again. Is that what you want?’

‘And you honestly won’t say anything to Mitchell?’

She looked so terrified that Maddy wanted to hug her. She must really love Mitchell D’Arcy. Maddy, hurting from loving Drew so much, felt nothing but sympathy. ‘No. I’ll leave that to you.’