‘Oh Suze, you don’t need me there, do you?’ he says pleadingly. ‘It’ll be full of ghastly people.’

Only Tarkie could describe the pick of A-list Hollywood celebrities as ‘ghastly people’.

‘Yes, I do need you there!’ exclaims Suze. ‘And I could have done without you disappearing all day, too. Where’ve you been, anyway?’

‘We played volleyball,’ says Tarquin, looking a bit shifty. ‘And we had lunch … and we talked …’

‘All afternoon?’ Suze is sounding shriller and shriller.

‘My apologies,’ says Bryce charmingly, in that smooth, hypnotic voice of his. ‘I waylaid Tarquin. We got talking and never stopped.’

‘Don’t apologize! It was a wonderful day.’ Tarkie turns eagerly to Suze. ‘Suze, darling, Bryce has so many brilliant insights. I’d love us all to have supper one night. And Bryce—’ He turns back to him. ‘I’d love to come to that class you were talking about. Meditation, was it?’

‘Mindfulness.’

‘That’s it! Sounds … ahm … fascinating.’

‘I’m brilliant at that,’ I put in helpfully. ‘It’s really easy.’

‘You don’t need to go to any classes, Tarquin!’ snaps Suze.

‘I agree,’ says Bryce, surprisingly. ‘It’s not at all essential. Tarquin, I think you’re someone who will heal himself through a slow, natural process. Just don’t be afraid to talk.’

‘Right. Ahm … absolutely.’ Tarquin looks uncomfortable. ‘The thing is, it’s not terribly easy—’

‘I know.’ Bryce nods. ‘It’s hard. But it’ll come. Remember, it doesn’t have to be with anyone. The sea will hear you. The air will hear you. Just express yourself, and let your soul find the answers.’

I’m listening, totally mesmerized, but Suze is bristling.

‘Talk to the sea?’ she scoffs. ‘What, and have everyone think you’re mad?’

‘“Mad” is a word I try not to use,’ says Bryce, unruffled. ‘And yes, I think talking to other people can bring its own unhelpful baggage. Sometimes you just need to talk to an entity. The void. Your god. We do a lot of healing work with animals.’

‘Tarkie doesn’t need healing!’ Suze sounds outraged.

‘That’s your opinion.’ He shrugs in a kind of all-wise, all-knowing, I have perspective because I have more experience of human problems and neuroses and stress than you could possibly guess at, even though I’m bound to secrecy and will never blab any celebrity details kind of way.

Well, that’s what I picked up, anyway.

‘I’m his wife,’ says Suze stonily.

‘Of course.’ He lifts his hands. ‘Suze, I respect you.’

There’s a really weird chemistry between Suze and Bryce. She’s practically sparking as she squares up to him …

Oh my God, does she fancy him? I mean, everyone kind of fancies Bryce, you’d have to be inhuman not to … but does she really fancy him?

‘Come on.’ At last Suze swivels and addresses Tarkie. ‘We need to go.’

‘I’ll see you, Tarquin,’ says Bryce, apparently unoffended.

‘Call me, Bryce,’ says Tarkie. ‘If you and the chaps are playing volleyball, or if there’s another hike …’ He’s so eager and hopeful, he reminds me of a little boy running after the cool kids in the playground.