‘I wasn’t. In fact,’ I said with sudden candour, encouraged by his kind expression, ‘I was miserable. He was unfaithful. And controlling. And chronically selfish, too. Luckily he dumped me – ha ha ha ha! What about you?’

      ‘Well,’ he sighed. ‘It’s a long story. I won’t bore you with it. But I’d just love to know how you are. Will you take a turn about the gardens with me?’

      ‘Yes,’ I said, jumping up and hoping that Piers would see me leaving the dining-room with this tall, drop-dead gorgeous bloke. ‘Yes, let’s go for a little wander. That would be nice. It’s terribly hot in here.’