More arrivals. A man said, ‘Miss Harmon-’

‘Kelly, please.’

‘Kelly, I’m sorry to be so late-’

She said the right things and took charge of the newcomers. Jake drained his glass and the next Kelly saw he was dancing smoochily with Marianne. She gave him only the briefest glance. The days when she sat on the sideline watching Jake work the room were over.

In the early hours the party began to break up. Carl was collecting plates and glasses, taking them to the kitchen, where Frank was busily stacking the sink.

‘Push off!’ Carl told him. ‘I’ve appointed myself to washing-up duty.’

‘Nobody needs you,’ Frank objected. ‘Go home, there’s a good fellow, and leave everything to me.’

‘Leave Kelly alone with a predator like you?’ Carl demanded.

‘So who isn’t a predator?’ Kelly challenged, much entertained. ‘You?’

At once he slipped an arm around her waist. ‘I can be anything you want me to be,’ he said throatily.

‘Well, right now I need a kitchen maid.’

‘Great. You’ve got me. Tell him to go. We’ll do the most ecstatic washing-up the world has ever known, and afterwards-’

As he spoke he was gently pushing her backwards over his arm in a theatrical simulation of passion. He was about to drop his lips on her throat when Frank seized him by the back of the neck, howling, ‘Git outta here. She’s mine!’

‘Don’t stop him,’ Kelly begged. ‘I can’t wait to hear about afterwards.’

But Frank grasped her by the waist, pulling her free so firmly that she staggered and had to be saved from falling by both of them.

‘My afterwards is more interesting than his afterwards,’ he said.

‘Don’t listen to him,’ Carl demanded.

‘You pair of maniacs,’ she said, chuckling.

They stood holding her, one on each side, exchanging glares.