I notice Diane is one of the few people still wearing shoes – heels, actually, that spike little holes into the baked mud clearing. I guess she isn’t feeling love in the bare earth, like everyone else is.

‘Do you want me to go home?’ I ask.

‘Oh, no, love.’ Diane’s eyes widen. ‘I just meant … you know, Michael and I have different tastes when it comes to celebrations. I’d rather just be at home, having a meal with a few friends. But that man of mine likes to make a big romantic public spectacle every year, so here we are. Love isn’t love unless he’s booming it through a microphone apparently. But listen to me, complaining like an old woman. Michael’s enjoying himself. And you are too, by the sounds of things.’

‘I’m loving it,’ I say. ‘I’ve always wanted to go to a music festival. This feels kind of like that.’ I raise my voice as the live music starts up again. ‘A big festival in the woods.’

‘Are you sure I can’t get you anything else to eat?’ Diane shouts back. ‘You’ve had some lunch, haven’t you?’

The music dies down a little and I nod. ‘Three veggie burgers and a veggie hot dog.’

‘Well, now it’s supper time,’ says Diane. ‘How about some bread? I’ve just put some in the outdoor oven. The chefs are still working away. They’ve got three grills going over there now. Two of them veggie only, so you needn’t worry—’

‘I’m okay,’ I say. ‘All I want to do is talk to Michael.’

‘Oh, that’s almost impossible at one of these things,’ Diane laughs. ‘Look at him. Peacocking around on stage. He’s in his element here. But I promise you, love, he’ll find time at some point. Michael is a man of his word, whatever Lorna might have to say on the subject. He is a show-off. Don’t be under any illusions there. Show him a stage and he can’t stay away. But he’s a man of his word.’

We watch as Michael sings a few notes into the mic, throwing his head back and spreading one hand wide. Cat is back on stage too now, strumming at a red electric guitar.

‘You’d never guess this was our anniversary, would you?’ says Diane mildly. ‘More like the Michael and Cat show.’

‘Do you mind?’ I ask.

‘Not often,’ says Diane with a wry smile. ‘Hardly ever, actually. It’s just how it is. True love is selfless.’