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Jimbo’s mother, and Liz and Neville Neal. Their drinks were being replenished by Jimbo.
    He broke off to greet the two of them and said ‘Wow!!’ when he saw Caroline’s dress. ‘Give us a twirl! Wonderful! Quite wonderful. Harriet will be jealous. What will you have to drink?’
    ‘Vodka and orange, please. You like it then?’
    ‘Like it? I should say.’
    Peter said, ‘So do I. It’s revealed a whole new side of my wife, has this dress. I’m beginning to feel old-fashioned.’
    ‘Well, you’re not darling, you’re just right. Thanks, Jimbo.’ Caroline took her drink and went off to speak with everyone. Grandmama was barely civil, but Craddock Fitch made a great fuss of her and made her laugh which she badly needed.
    Harriet came in to say dinner was almost on the table and where was Hugo?
    ‘Not down yet.’
    ‘Go give him a call, Jimbo. You know what he’s like.’
    ‘I’ll just finish in the drinks department and then I will.’
    Harriet sorted them out as to where they should sit and Caroline found herself between Gilbert and a vacant chair which she presumed was meant for Hugo. Trust Harriet to place him next to her. She was determined not to let him get under her skin. Never again. She would behave as if their contretemps in the restaurant had never happened.
    Just before Harriet served the vichyssoise Hugo came in.
‘So sorry. Am I late? I fell asleep by mistake.’ It wasn’t only Caroline who was charmed by his smile. She noticed Louise go gently pink and despite her misgivings about him Grandmama succumbed too.
    Jimbo did the introductions. ‘This is Hugo Maude, who requires no introduction to you. My mother you already know, this here is Louise, sitting next to Caroline is her husband Gilbert, county archaeologist and church choir master, this delightful creature is Liz Neal, wife of Neville Neal, right here, Neville is an accountant and the church treasurer, and of course you’ve met Peter, and last but not least Mr Fitch the owner of the Big House you glimpsed between the trees yesterday.’
    Hugo went around the table shaking hands and kissing as he thought appropriate. Caroline’s hand got a small squeeze and she received a kiss on her cheek too.
    Jimbo and Harriet were practised hosts, the food delicious, and the evening went by in the most enjoyable way. There was plenty of laughter and Hugo provided that extra bit of zest needed when it was a dinner party where everyone knew everyone else and the conversation might have become moribund. He told some splendid theatrical stories which everyone except Grandmama enjoyed. She was occupied casting scathing glances at Caroline, the last of which Peter had intercepted. Then it was Grandmama’s turn to grow pink, because Peter, who could do no wrong in her eyes, gave her one of his sad smiles. Well, if he didn’t mind Caroline dressing as though she was out to catch a man then who was she to complain. But that gown really was an eye stopper, not at all suitable for someone in her position. What was it Harriet was saying, she’d missed that. She watched her spoon some more raspberries into her mouth and heard her mumble, ‘Don’t you think it would be a good idea? In all the years we’ve been here we’ve never done a play. Have we?’
An energetic burst of conversation answered her query. Peter’s powerful voice overrode everyone else’s and they all stopped speaking and listened to what he had to say. ‘I think it would be an excellent idea. It might be the beginning of the Turnham Malpas Amateur Dramatic Society. We have the stage in the Church Hall, we have the lighting, it’s all yours for the asking. There’s hardly ever been a show of any kind put on except the Gang Show each year.’
    Harriet said, ‘Hands up all the people who would be willing to take part.’
    Grandmama refrained from volunteering and so did Mr Fitch. Another notable exception was Louise.
    Caroline said, ‘Well, the baby is very young. I can