Melissa grinned. ‘Guns all locked away?’

‘I’m the Lone Ranger, and my gun’s not locked away. I don’t have a gun.’ The boy displayed an empty holster. ‘I’m not allowed them.’ He thrust the plate forward as Rebekah moved off to talk to Bill. ‘I have mackerel pate on toast.’

‘Yum,’ I said, though actually the smell of mackerel was enough to make my stomach roll. The only food in the fridge the weekend after Jonny died, it was another of the things I couldn’t bear around me.

‘Killed any bandits lately?’ Melissa ruffled Beau’s hair. ‘Or anyone else?’

‘For God’s sake, Melissa.’ Rex had appeared in his ringmaster’s outfit. ‘Don’t provoke him.’

‘I’m not killing anyone,’ Beau said stolidly.

‘I was only joking,’ I heard Melissa murmur to Rex as I leant forward to take a canapé from the boy.

‘Good job,’ I said. ‘Thanks, lovie.’

‘Well, don’t joke,’ Rex muttered, his face very close to Melissa’s. His red face, I thought vaguely, clashed badly with the scarlet coat.

‘Rex,’ I began as the boy wandered off, and Rex looked at me, and I felt a horrible churning in the pit of my stomach. ‘Don’t you look great!’ I remained as amiable as possible.

He held my eye and moved very close. ‘You like it?’

I could smell the pate on his breath. ‘Very smart!’ I stepped back minutely. What was that look on his face?

‘Melissa likes it too, don’t you, babes?’ He smirked.

I glanced at Melissa, who hadn’t answered, she was watching him like—

What was it like?

A wildlife programme: Attenborough or some such. A smaller animal, eyeing its predator warily. A creature trying to hide – waiting for the move; eyeing the gap.

Something cold crept down my spine.

‘Rex!’ Marcus returned, and we all shifted slightly, relieved to feel the tension breaking. ‘Brilliant outfit. And didn’t you do your announcements well earlier!’

‘Thank you, Marcus.’ Rex bowed stiffly. ‘I try my best.’

I inhaled deeply.

‘It’s been a good do so far, hasn’t it?’ Melissa raised her glass to our host. ‘I loved the little dog show.’

‘Oh yes, sweet, wasn’t it?’ I agreed, still feeling guilty about poor Wilbur.

‘Yeah, all good so far!’ Marcus’s hand was warm in the small of my back, that nice piney fragrance in the air again, and it felt like—

It felt like reassurance.

‘Great success. Looking forward to the great Huff-B.’ Marcus turned to Rex. ‘Though, actually, mate, can I borrow you a minute? Hate to break up a party, but we’ve got an issue with the generator for the firework wiring. Bet you’re good with electrics, aren’t you?’

‘Not bad.’ Rex pigeoned his chest, affable again. ‘Lead on.’

I’d probably imagined the challenge on Rex’s face, I thought, watching him follow Marcus out. I wasn’t feeling my most relaxed self, it must be said; undoubtedly tense.

‘Rubes!’ Melissa knocked me off balance, arms around me unexpectedly. ‘Oh, I’ve missed you, hon.’

‘Woah!’ The horrid canapé I’d been waiting to dispose of fell onto the rug. ‘Steady on.’