‘He looks… much better. Although I’ll be honest, when I met you at the house, I wasn’t expecting Rupert to end up bringing you here as his… girlfriend,’ Sadie gives a brisk smile, ‘but then our Rupert has always been full of surprises.’

I blink, taken aback by her comment, and before I can muster up a response she’s talking again.

‘Emily, tell us a bit about yourself. Rupert has barely told us anything, he’s been hiding you away from everyone.’

‘There’s not much to tell really.’ I find my eyes are drawn back to Rupert every other minute, desire tugging at the pit of my stomach every time I see him. He seems to be having a good time, surrounded by Miles and Will and an older gentleman who looks so much like Sadie he can only be her father. ‘I applied for the job Rupert posted, and we just hit it off, I suppose. I feel incredibly lucky to have found him.’

‘Lucky indeed. Although I’m sure Rupert must be feeling the same,’ Amanda says. ‘Have you been married before? Children? Sorry.’ She glances towards Sadie, who raises an eyebrow. ‘Rupert is like a brother to me… I could say I’m just protecting him, but the truth is I am unbelievably nosy. Feel free to tell me to mind my own business.’

Glad that Amanda is trying to engage me in conversation, I smile gratefully at her, as Sadie says nothing, sipping at her wine. ‘Never been married, and definitely no children.’ Before I can ask Amanda to reciprocate, Sadie pipes up.

‘So, Rupert has told you all about Caro, has he? What happened to her?’

‘Sadie!’ Amanda widens her eyes.

‘What?’ Sadie’s voice has a defensive tone to it, and my skin prickles uncomfortably. What can Rupert and Miles possibly be talking about for so long? ‘I just wondered if Rupert had told her everything. It’s only fair that Emily knows the situation.’

‘Yes.’ Giving up hope that Rupert will rescue me anytime soon, I shift on my feet slightly, my wedges feeling like they might start sinking into the damp grass below. I’m half wishing the ground would just swallow me up and get me out of here. ‘He told me she died. We spoke about it when I went for the job interview.’ I want them to know that Rupert hasn’t hidden anything from me.

‘Poor Caro. So beautiful, and so young. I still miss her so much.’ Amanda lets her eyes fill with tears and I stare down into my rapidly emptying glass, not knowing where to look.

‘Amanda, go and splash some water on your face, you don’t want Rupert to know you’ve been upset. Emily, let me get you another drink, and I’ll introduce you to some of the others.’