‘So I’ve noticed.’ Drew sat beside the badger. ‘And yes, I am. Jealous.’

They stared at each other. Drew slowly reached out and pulled her into his arms. He smelled of horses and sunshine, of heat and hay.

‘Caroline,’ Maddy squeaked. ‘We can’t. Caroline –’

‘Is now discussing paramilitary operations with Bronwyn and Bernie. Oh, Jesus, Maddy …’

He kissed her with long, slow, expertise. Again it had all the undertones of log fires and fur rugs, and all the overtones of pent-up passion. It was not the kiss of a man who found sex repulsive.

‘You look gorgeous and I missed you,’ he said simply. ‘And I’m so glad to be back. I’m sorry Caroline came with me. Oh, God. Is the whole world here tonight? Isn’t there anywhere we can have some privacy?’

The laughing, noisy crowds seemed to be spewing from every corner of the garden. Maddy was aware of several villagers gazing at them with open curiosity.

‘They think we’re the floor show.’

‘Not a hope.’ Drew slid his arm round her shoulders. ‘I’m knackered. They won’t be getting an encore.’

Nor will I, Maddy thought drowsily, but the overture had been absolute bliss.

‘Do you want to eat?’ She watched her own fingers clenching and unclenching themselves on the sleeve of his black sweatshirt. ‘The food is wonderful – not that I’ve tried it, I mean.’

‘You haven’t?’ He raised a dark arched eyebrow. ‘Are you ill?’

They walked apart towards the barbecue. Drew told her about the horse, Dock of the Bay, that he’d ferried from Jersey and who was now eating his head off at Peapods. He told her about the house at Bonne Nuit which looked out over the sea and how he’d sat there alone in the moonlight and watched the headlights of the cars on the French coast. He told her about Kit and Rosa Pedersen, his friends and the horse’s owners, who would be coming over to see him run at Epsom. He said nothing about Caroline.

‘Drew, please talk about her. We can’t pretend she doesn’t exist just when it suits us.’

‘OK, then. We had dinner each evening, we gossiped about our respective businesses, I had drinks with her parents, and spent one morning sweating in the glasshouses while she and her mother had a meeting with a potential customer. We behaved exactly as we have for the last ten years.’

‘Oh.’ The bitter knife of jealousy was twisting its blade in Maddy’s stomach. ‘That’s nice.’

‘You wanted to know.’ Drew reached for her hand. ‘Caroline and I are very good friends. This is the way our life has always been, ever since –’ Maddy held her breath. He sighed. ‘Well, the way our life is, you know?’