‘It’d probably stop them breathing.’ Maddy’s eyes were watering. ‘What’s this one supposed to be?’

‘Gin, Barty said. With a fruit base …’ He fished into his beaker and produced a piece of apple. ‘This must be it.’

It really wasn’t that funny, but overcome by the mixture of drinks and desolation about Drew, Maddy began to giggle. Charlie laughed with her, slipping his free arm around her shaking shoulders.

‘So sorry to break up the party.’ Drew’s voice would have sliced through the Rock of Gibraltar. ‘Charlie, when you’re free, could I have a word?’

‘Oh, yeah, sure.’ Charlie slowly disentangled himself, letting his fingertips slide indolently over Maddy’s breasts.

Stunned by Drew’s arrival, Maddy’s mouth dropped open. ‘When, er, I mean, how long have you been here?’

‘Long enough.’ Drew’s brows were drawn together. ‘I was looking for you.’

Oh, joy! Maddy wondered if Drew could hear the delirious thumping of her heart. ‘And now you’ve found me. And, um, Caroline?’

‘Is talking to Kimberley.’ He turned to Charlie. ‘If we could have that chat?’

‘I’ll leave you alone, then,’ Maddy said, trying to control her lips. ‘If you’re going to talk horse.’

He was here! Caroline was here too, but it really didn’t matter. Drew was back in Milton St John. With a beatific smile, she made her unsteady way back towards the lawn. Colours seemed brighter, noises seemed louder, her tongue was far too big for her mouth. She was in danger of becoming very drunk.

Diana drifted past with Mitchell and waved coyly. ‘It’s all sorted Maddy, darling.’

‘Goody.’ Maddy was aware she was waving back and had to make a conscious effort to restrain her hand. ‘What is?’

‘Our bit of business.’ Diana was winking. ‘Mitchell is an angel. An absolute angel.’

‘Never think you can better a woman, Marnie.’ The smile almost blinded her. ‘Especially not a woman like Di, here. Di knows her stuff. I always listen to her.’

Maddy watched them drift away again, not having an inkling what they were talking about. The barbecue would probably be raided by the Drugs Squad at any moment, and the cauldrons impounded. Rumour had it that Kimberley’s mother had been a bit of a herbalist. Maybe Kimberley had family connections with the chef at the Cat and Fiddle.

Emptying her Batman beaker, Maddy sat heavily on the rockery next to a morose-looking stone badger. What with Caroline and Drew being together, it was probably the best she could hope for tonight.

‘Do you want to make it a threesome?’ Luke plonked down beside her. ‘We could call it suicide corner. I don’t know which one of us looks most pissed off, but I think the badger has got a slight edge.’

‘Have you had a row with Suzy?’ Maddy had never seen him look so miserable. ‘Luke, what’s wrong?’