“You have. You’ve dealt with so much crap, had all this success; make the most of it. It may not last. And then you’ll kick yourself that you didn’t enjoy it more.”

“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. Sorry, Abi. I’ve been a pain. As usual.”

“Well, that’s why we love you,” said Abi, grinning at her. “We’re used to it anyway. Oh, hi, Jazz. Everything OK?”

“Everything’s fine, yeah. Sid’s doing a good job. This is a great night, Abi. Congratulations are in order. Wondered if you’d like to come down and have a quick dance, Georgia.”

“I’d love to.”

“Right-o. Mind you, I’m a terrible dancer…”

“I’m sure you’re not.”

“Darlin’, I am. Not like our Merl. I know me limitations. Don’t mean I don’t enjoy it, though. Come on, then.”

He was all right, Abi thought, smiling, watching them go off. Dead sexy, funny, cool, with none of Merlin’s intense self-regard. Much more suitable for Georgia, really. Now she was doing it, trying to get Georgia settled. She shouldn’t be settled; she was a wild card, a loose cannon; she needed to make her own way. And she would. She really would.

“Right,” said Linda. “I’ve got a tent.”

“You haven’t.”

“Yes, I have. Look, it cost me fifteen quid, just like Abi said. Where shall we put it up?”

“There’s no room for it anywhere. You’ll be able to hear everybody else breathing, wherever it goes. Linda, do let’s leave and go to the hotel.”

“I don’t want to. I’m having an adventure. We’re having an adventure.”

“Oh, for God’s sake. The music, if you can call it that, is ghastly; it’s getting cold; I’m tired…”

“OK. You go. That’s fine.”

“You can’t stay here on your own,” said Alex irritably.

“Yes, I can. I’ll be fine.”

“Linda, you are not staying here on your own.”

“Well, I’m not leaving.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Why do you have to be so bloody… dramatic?”

“I’m not being dramatic. I’m just entering into the spirit of the thing. Which, considering your hospital is going to benefit so much, I’d have thought you should too. You’re such a killjoy, Alex. You really are.”

“Well, thanks for that.”

He’d been waiting for her, not far from where Mary had been, on the far side of the small valley. He sat down in the grass, glared gloomily down at the arena.

“You know, sometimes I wonder if this is worth it.”

“What on earth do you mean?”

“Well… we only see each other for two days a week, sometimes less, the occasional evening, and when we do we fight. Where’s the joy in that?”

“I… don’t know. What are you trying to say?”

“That this is hardly an ideal existence, simply being together at the weekends. Maybe we should try again to find somewhere we can live together. Or… even… call it a day.”

“Do you really want to do that? Call it a day?” There was a shake in her voice.

He looked at her, put out his hand, and took hers.

“No, of course not. I love you far too much. But… this isn’t working terribly well, is it?”

There was a long silence; then she said, “No. Not terribly. Um… Alex…”

“Yes?”

“I… well, actually, I have been thinking maybe I could… after all… move out a bit. Say to Windsor.”

“I hated Windsor. Maidenhead was OK.”

“I loathed Maidenhead.”

“Well, clearly we’ll be settled in no time. But… why, suddenly?”

“Well… I think I could possibly run my business at least two days a week from farther out. I mean, I can always go in for meetings. And keep the office on. What would you think about that?”

“Well… I’d think it would be amazing. Wonderful. But I don’t believe it. It’s a bit like Cherie Blair or Lady Thatcher suddenly announcing a woman’s place was in the home.”

“Don’t compare me to those awful women.”

“Sorry.”

“Anyway I think you might have to. Believe it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was… well, I was sick this morning.”

“Poor darling. You’re obviously run-down.”

“And the morning before. And the one before that.”

“Oh, dear.” He was rummaging in the picnic basket. “I’m sure there was some wine left.”

“Alex! God, you medics are all the same. So unsympathetic. Didn’t you hear what I said?”

“Yes, of course I did. You said you’d been sick this morning.”

“Yes, and the two mornings before that.” So…?

“For Christ’s sake. So… I think I might be pregnant. Well, I’m pretty sure I’m pregnant. Actually.”

“You what?”

“Alex, you’re not deaf yet. I said I was pregnant.”

“Oh, my God,” he said, staring at her, his face frozen with shock. “God. Linda. Oh, my Linda.” He sat staring at her, then put out his hand and stroked her cheek. Very gently. “How did that happen?”

“Usual way, I suppose.”

“Yes, but…”

“I had that stomach upset last month, remember? Not good with the pill.”

“Oh, my God.”

“So, are you pleased?”

“Oh, no,” he said, “I’m not pleased.”

“Oh. Well…”

“I’m ecstatic. Totally, gloriously ecstatic. It’s wonderful. Amazing. You?”

“I’m… moderately ecstatic. Bit thoughtful… I don’t know how I’ll do at it.”

“How you do at everything else, that’s how… Brilliantly. Oh, Linda, I’m so… so-” He stopped. He seemed near to tears. She smiled at him, leaned forward, kissed him.

“I’m glad you’re pleased.”

“I’m… well, I’m much, much more than pleased. How do you feel, though?”

“Fine. Except in the morning. As you’ll probably find out tomorrow. Oh, and tired. Bit tired.”

“We must get you back to the hotel straightaway.”

“Alex, I don’t want to go back to the hotel. I want to stay here, in this tent… with you.”

“Oh, don’t be so ridiculous.”

“Please,” she said, and even in the darkness he could see her eyes shining. “Please. For a little while, anyway. Go on, Alex. I dare you.”

“Well, Abi, what a success, eh?” It was Peter Grainger, smiling at her. “I take my hat off to you. It was quite something, but you’ve pulled it off. And so far… no problems.”

“No, not yet,” said Abi. “Don’t speak too soon.”

“Oh, I have total faith in you. You and your arrangements. I must admit I had my doubts, but I was wrong. Where’s young William?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I haven’t seen him for ages. Um… where’s… um, Pauline?”

She still had the utmost difficulty in referring to Mrs. Grainger by her Christian name.

“She’s in bed, I’m afraid. Eaten something very nasty. Keeps being sick. And… well, never mind. I’m sure she’ll be better tomorrow.”

“Oh, that’s terrible,” said Abi. “I’m so sorry.” Thinking of her silent prayer of the morning and wondering if the God she so firmly didn’t believe in had actually sent Mrs. Grainger’s illness as a sign to her of His existence.

“Yes, but you know, I don’t think she’d have enjoyed this too much. And she’d have felt bound to come down and have a look. And then she’d have started worrying about everything.”

“Yes. Yes, I suppose so. But she must be bothered by the noise.”

“Oh… no. Funnily enough, you can hardly hear it in the house. Something to do with the sound going over the tops of the trees perhaps. I don’t know. Anyway, she’ll be fine tomorrow; don’t you worry. Now… this isn’t really my sort of music, but I wonder if we could have a dance.”

And William, arriving back at the arena, was met by the astonishing sight of his father and Abi dancing together in the near-darkness, his father doing an approximation of the Twist that his generation still clung to on the dance floor, his arms gyrating like crazed chicken wings, and Abi scarcely moving, swaying and curving with the music, the sparklers she was holding making patterns in the darkness. He really did love her, so very much.