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‘Nay, luv, you mean colic!’ said Terrific Ted, galloping heroically to my rescue.

‘That's it! Very bad colic. He might die. Is dying. I must go, Ant.’

Ant scratched his head. ‘Really? I mean – is there actually anything you can do? Surely Caro's the best person. Or the vet…’

‘Oh, they've called the vet, he's been there all night, but I'm responsible for him, you see.’

‘He's not actually our horse,’ Ant explained. ‘We've borrowed him.’

‘Oh, well, surely the owner—’ Bella began.

‘She'll be livid,’ I gasped, quaking at the very idea of Camilla discovering Hector's colic, fictitious or otherwise: beginning to believe my own lie. I went quite prickly with fear. ‘She's besotted with him, you see. She'll kill me. Ant, I must go,’ I trembled.

‘She's a grand woman, your wife,’ announced Ted suddenly in a broken voice. His arm went round my shoulders. He squeezed, gently breaking them. ‘A grand woman. She's all heart.’ Oh Lord, he was misting up again. ‘All heart. And if it was a tiny kitten, maybe even a mouse, you'd go, wouldn't you, luv?’ He regarded me keenly, this living embodiment of Francis of Assisi.

I didn't know what to say. ‘Yes,’ I croaked into his swimming blue eyes.

‘See?’ He turned to the others triumphantly.

‘We'll all go,’ Ant said decisively. ‘I'm not having you go back on your own, Evie. I'll ring Anna.’ He whipped his mobile out. ‘Tell her to come back.’

‘No!’ I stayed his hand as I saw Bella's face fall. Ted's too. ‘No, she'll be so disappointed, everyone will. Stay, Ant. I'll get the train. And don't tell Anna Hector's so ill, just say – he's caught a cold, or something. But honestly, darling, I really can't dump this on Caro.’

Ted was gazing at me dreamily now, loving me. Ant looked uncertain, but I could tell he was halfway there.

‘There are trains to London from Sheffield, surely?’ I turned to Bella, who was looking distressed, her fingers in her peasant blouse. That fidgeting might, eventually, drive me mad, I decided.

‘There are, but then on into Oxford…?’

‘Oh, that's easy, I've done that loads of times. Straight from Paddington. Padders to Oxford – simple. Where's the bus stop?’ I glanced around, as if half-expecting a friendly bus stop on a pole to bend over the hedge and wave cheerily at me. ‘I'll do the same as the girls.’

‘No, no—’ began Bella,

‘I'll drop you, luv,’ said Ted, gruffly. ‘I live in town. I'll give you a lift.’

‘Oh, perfect.’ I beamed. ‘Thank you so much. And thank you,’ I turned to Bella, on a roll now, powering on through, home and dry, practically back in Walton Terrace. ‘You've been so marvellous,’ I gushed. ‘With all your hospitality and everything.’

‘No, no, you've been marvellous—’

‘We're all marvellous!’ I trilled as I kissed her goodbye, and then kissed my husband, in perpetual motion, all smiles. ‘And give my love to Stacey and Anna,’ I warbled, making for Ted's car around the front of the house, forcing him to follow. ‘Bye, darling!’ I sang to Ant, giving him a jaunty backward wave. ‘Bring my things with yours. I've got all I need.’

‘Evie,’ he caught up with me, jogging anxiously at my side as I strode off. ‘Are you sure? Sure you don't want me to come with you?’

‘Perfectly.’ I patted his cheek as I got in the car, something I'd never done. ‘You stay till Tuesday as planned, and I'll go and sort old Hector out. Give him a good – I don't know – rub down.’ I shut the door.

‘OK,’ he was saying doubtfully as Ted started the car. I buzzed down the window to smile broadly. ‘If you're sure…’

‘Of course I am. Really. Toodle-pip, my darling – have fun!’

And off we purred, Terrific Ted and I, with Bella and Ant standing together on the crunchy gravel drive, waving us off uncertainly. The bright morning light streamed through the canopy of frilly yellow beech leaves above them, casting a delicate pattern over their blond heads. When they were out of sight and I could legitimately wave no more, I turned and rested my head on Ted's sheepskin head