Telling Malcolm they were going out for some air, he led Joanne through the crowd, many of whom smiled at her as she passed.

‘They like you,’ Greg said as they emerged into the night air.

‘I’m glad I didn’t make trouble for you by coming here tonight.’

‘You’re no trouble,’ he said. ‘But we do need to talk. I saw—’

At that moment, a big black 4x4 came along Main Street and drew up opposite them.

‘What the fuck,’ Greg said as he realized who was inside.

‘Hey, Taylor,’ Stratton called over on exiting the vehicle. ‘And Maya. What a surprise. You didn’t mention you knew my head keeper when we met earlier today?’

As Greg felt Joanne quickly free her hand from his own, his main thought was: who the fuck was Maya?

Greg

Ignoring Stratton’s shout, Greg pulled Joanne into the shadows, then down the track that led to the back of the hotel.

‘I need to explain about what Stratton said,’ she began.

‘Later,’ he said, trying to keep a hold of his simmering anger that what he’d seen from the hill hadn’t been a mirage.

The truth was, he was desperate for an explanation or even a confession, but this wasn’t the moment. Not with what was about to go down inside the pub.

Besides, he’d just kissed Caroline in the cellar. Was he planning to immediately confess to that? Re-entering via the kitchen door, they found Caroline and Karla busy dishing up the stovies.

‘Where the hell did you two go? We need your help to serve these,’ Caroline said with an angry glance at Joanne.

‘Explain what’s happening,’ Greg told Joanne. ‘I have to warn Malcolm.’

On entering the bar, he realized he was already too late.

Malcolm threw him a relieved look. ‘Glad you’re back. Look who just strode in,’ he said worriedly. ‘Stay here, I’ll speak to them.’

The Party House group of five (no Naomi, Greg noted) was standing in the open doorway like an invading army, with Stratton leading the charge, the fabricated bonhomie of their earlier meetings on display.

The crowd, suddenly sensing the invasion, began to hush and stare at the incomers. The band stopped playing. Malcolm approached and politely explained that the bar wasn’t accessible tonight because of a private function. He alerted them to the sign outside, explaining exactly that.

‘It was to be in the village hall, but the police have taken that over, so it had to be moved here,’ he said in a conciliatory voice. ‘We’ll be open tomorrow as normal.’ He didn’t add, ‘come back and see us then’ as he’d done with a few earlier visitors who’d strayed their way.

‘We’re happy to pay for entry or give a donation.’ Aidan smiled like a man used to money buying anything and everything.