‘Oh, it’s not Suzy. At least, I don’t think it is. I mean, I haven’t even seen her yet and I’ve been here for ages.’ He sighed. ‘I’ve been jocked off.’

Maddy tried to focus. ‘Jocked off what?’

‘Saratoga Sun.’ Luke sucked in his breath. ‘I know I told everybody it wouldn’t matter, but it still bloody hurts.’

‘When? Who told you?’

‘Mrs James-Jordan and Mitchell D’Arcy. Just now. They said they’d been thinking things over and that maybe Richard’s age and experience would be better. They’ve offered me Jefferson Jet.’

‘Oh, God. Luke, I’m sorry – but I’m so pleased for Richard. And you did say you’d have plenty more chances at The Derby. Jefferson is second favourite anyway.’

‘Yeah, I know. Oh, Christ. I know how bad Rich felt now.’

‘I’m sure he felt a lot worse than you do.’ Maddy’s head was reeling. Fran and Richard would be ecstatic. ‘I wonder, what made them change their minds?’

‘God knows.’ Luke turned and stared into her eyes. ‘I feel like a kid who’s just lost his best toy.’

‘Suzy’s your best toy, and there’s no danger of you losing her. And Jefferson could easily win The Derby.’

‘Not against Saratoga.’ Luke’s eyes had brightened. ‘But you’re right about Suzy. If I lost her I don’t know what I’d do.’

Maddy smiled fondly. If she couldn’t have a love affair of her own this was the next best thing. She felt quite motherly.

‘Have they told Richard yet?’

‘No. Mrs James-Jordan says she’ll tell him tomorrow. He’ll be over the moon. I am pleased for him, honestly.’

‘You’re nice, Luke. Suzy’s a lucky girl. Why don’t you go and find her and get roaring drunk together?’

Luke grinned. He really was impossibly handsome, with those chocolate eyes, and those cheekbones. ‘OK. And if I can’t find Suzy, can I come back and get roaring drunk with you?’

‘Any time.’ Maddy gave him a hug. She was heavier than him, and far more squiffy. With a giggle, they toppled backwards over the badger.

‘I seem to have arrived in the middle of your jockey period,’ Drew’s voice barked from somewhere above them. ‘When you’ve finished test driving them, perhaps you’ll let me know.’

Maddy scrambled into a sitting position. Luke got to his feet and wandered away to find Suzy.

‘Don’t shout.’ Maddy was removing bits of aubrietia from her hair. ‘You can’t talk.’

‘I merely brought my wife.’ Drew’s voice was icy.

‘You sound jealous. Charlie was being nice to me because I was on my own, and Luke’s been jocked off Saratoga so I was being nice to him.’ She squinted up at him. ‘That’s what we’re like in Milton St John. Nice to each other.’