The Scorpion came up the drive at a great pace, but checked abruptly. Then it moved on at a more decorous speed and pulled up. Leonard and Moppett got out simultaneously. Sergeant Raikes advanced and so did they, all smiles and readiness, but with the faintest suggestion of self-consciousness, Desirée considered, in their joints. ‘It’s people’s elbows,’ she reflected, ‘that give them away.’

They approached the group of three. Moppett, with girlish insouciance, linked her arm through Mr Cartell’s causing him to become rigid with distaste. ‘First blood to Moppett,’ thought Desirée with relish.

Leonard listened to Sergeant Raikes with an expression that progressed from bonhomie through concern towards righteous astonishment. He bowed ironically and indicated the Scorpion. Catching sight of Desirée, he shook his head slowly from side to side as if inviting her to share his bewilderment. He then removed two large packages from the Scorpion.

Desirée opened the French window and strolled down the steps towards them. Mr Cartell furiously disengaged himself from Moppett.

‘I think,’ he said, ‘that we should get back, Raikes. If Copper drives the other car, you, I suppose –’

Sergeant Raikes glanced at Moppett and muttered something.

‘Don’t let us keep you,’ Leonard said quickly and with excessive politeness. ‘Please.’

They touched their hats to Desirée, mounted their respective cars and drove away, inexplicably at a disadvantage.

‘Well!’ Desirée asked cheerfully, ‘did you find my tiresome food?’

Moppett and Leonard, all smiles, began to chatter and give way to each other.

Finally Moppett said: ‘Dear Lady Bantling – yes. We’ve got it all, but, as you see, we ran into a muddle of sorts. Mr Copper’s made a nonsense about the Scorpion and we’ve missed buying it.’

‘Inefficient,’ Leonard said. ‘It appears somebody else had first refusal.’

‘How very disappointing.’

‘Isn’t it!’ Moppett agreed. ‘Too sickening.’ She gave a little scream and put her hand to her mouth. ‘Leonard!’ she cried. ‘Fools that we are!’

‘What, darling?’

‘We ought to have gone back with them. Look at us! Now, what do we do?’

Leonard allowed the slightest possible gap to occur before he said: ‘I’m afraid Mr George Copper will have to make a return trip in my car. Too bad!’

‘What will you think of us?’ Moppett asked Desirée.

‘Oh,’ she said lightly, ‘the worst,’ and they laughed with possibly a shade less conviction.

‘At least,’ Moppett said, ‘we can bring the food in, can’t we, and if we might ring up for some sort of transport.’

Bimbo came out of the house and fetched up short when he saw them. Desirée grinned at him.

‘Why not stay?’ she said very distinctly to Moppett. ‘After fetching all our food, the least we can do is to ask you to eat it. Do stay.’

CHAPTER 3

Aftermath to a Party

Andrew put Nicola’s overcoat on the seat and sat opposite her.