The stunning effect of the blue water with its limitless edge projected against the soft scenery of the Charlcombe valley was almost lost on him, thinking of his hapless officers toiling up the slope.
Someone gripped his sleeve and he turned to find himself face to face with an unlikely vision in a straw boater and green maxi dress.
Georgina.
‘What on earth are you up to?’ she asked through the side of her mouth as if she didn’t want to be seen talking to him.
‘Going about my normal duties, ma’am.’
‘Did you get an invitation?’
‘No, I’m a gatecrasher.’
‘What?’
‘It’s all downhill from here. I’m going to make an arrest.’
‘You can’t.’
‘I must.’
‘These are my friends.’
‘Mine, too,’ he said. ‘Paloma’s here, in case you hadn’t noticed. My main concern is to avoid a shootout.’
‘Oh God.’
‘When the moment comes, I’d appreciate your assistance in controlling the situation, ma’am. If necessary tell them to throw themselves on the ground.’
‘I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Look at my arms. They’re covered in gooseflesh. Can’t you wait for a better moment?’
He shook his head. ‘It’s all set up. The place is surrounded.’
Georgina had difficulty finding words. ‘Why wasn’t I informed?’
‘No time, unfortunately. I had to act fast.’
‘You’d better tell me who you’re planning to arrest.’
‘I would, but...’
‘But what?’
‘We’re about to be interrupted. Don’t step to your right, whatever you do.’ He’d noticed an electrically powered wheelchair moving in rapidly from the rear. He pitched his voice higher to make the introduction. ‘This is my friend Algy, the most senior member of the Beau Nash Society.’
‘Don’t know about that,’ Algy said, ready for a jovial chat. ‘I’ve never held office. I just go on and on.’
‘Georgina is my boss, the assistant chief constable.’
‘Making sure you behave yourself?’
‘Too late for that,’ Diamond said and Georgina’s look showed that for once they were in agreement.
Algy was looking dapper in a striped shirt and white chinos. ‘Peter is a hero as far as I’m concerned,’ he told Georgina. ‘A credit to the force. Rescued me at our last meeting from what I can only describe as an incommodious situation. I said I wanted to put him up for a commendation, but he wouldn’t have it. Such modesty.’
‘“Secrecy” sums it up better,’ Georgina said. ‘He doesn’t tell me anything.’
Diamond’s attention was elsewhere. ‘Tell me, Algy, is the small man with the fluffy blond hair and the purple kaftan one of your Beau Nash people?’
Algy had to crane for a look across the pool. ‘Him? No, no, he doesn’t belong to us. That’s Duncan Newburn, the owner of the Upmarket Gallery in Broad Street.’
‘I thought so. What’s he doing here?’
‘Top secret,’ Algy said. ‘My lips are sealed.’
‘A friend of the Parises?’
‘Not that I’ve heard. All will become clear at some stage.’
‘He was definitely invited?’
‘Certainly.’
Georgina commented, ‘Which is more than one can say for everyone here.’
‘Speaking of which,’ Diamond said, ‘I’m going to circulate. That’s what you do at cocktail parties, isn’t it? I’ll leave you two to get better acquainted.’ And he moved off before they could stop him.
Lady Sally was still offering canapés so he went over.
‘Pete, how nice to see you,’ she said. ‘Did Georgie bring you?’
He had to think who Georgie was. ‘No, I’m a grown-up. I found my own way here.’
She smiled. ‘These are nice. Try a mini quiche — or three. You look as if you could do with a bite to eat.’
He didn’t turn down the offer. ‘I was just saying I’m surprised to see one of your guests, Duncan Newburn, the gallery owner. He’s nothing to do with the Beau Nash Society, is he?’
‘Not to my knowledge,’ Lady Sally said. ‘I only met him for the first time a few minutes ago. But I do know what he’s doing here and it’s top secret, only not for much longer.’ She looked across the pool to where Newburn was telling some story with animated gestures. ‘He seems to be enjoying himself. Do you know him?’
‘Our paths have crossed, yes.’
She laughed. ‘I hope he doesn’t have a criminal record.’
‘Speaking of which,’ he said, ‘I’ve been talking to your chauffeur.’
‘Jim? What about? Gossip? My failing marriage?’
The last remark caught him off guard and sounded as if it was a whole different story she might not wish to enlarge on, so he let it pass. ‘He had nice things to say about you and your husband — like the second chance you gave him when you offered him the job.’
‘That was years ago. He’s more than justified our faith in him.’
‘He said you paid for their honeymoon.’
‘Did he? I’d almost forgotten. With Ed’s money, we can afford it.’
‘Even more generously, you made Astra’s wedding dress.’
‘And delighted to do it. Dressmaking can be awfully humdrum. A wedding dress is a joy to work on.’
‘But you’ve got to be experienced to take on a job like that.’
‘Actually, it’s not the most difficult, provided that the bride knows what she wants and doesn’t keep changing her mind. Astra was fine.’
‘Where did you learn?’
‘Most women take up the needle at some point in their lives. I started young.’
‘But you don’t do it professionally any more?’
The colour rose to her cheeks. ‘You’re not an income tax inspector as well a policeman, are you? No, it’s my hobby. Everything I do — the beauty therapy — is because I enjoy it. My clients pay a nominal fee, but that barely covers the materials. It’s more for their peace of mind than mine.’
They were interrupted by the sound of metal on glass, Jim Spearman striking an empty bottle with a large serving spoon to get attention. At his side was the host, Sir Edward Paris. People stopped their conversations and turned to hear the announcement.
‘I know, I know, I know,’ a smiling Sir Ed wooed his audience with the confidence of a man who had paid for everything in sight and was on home territory among friends, ‘we told you it was just a bash by the pool. No speeches and no presents, but there’s a reason why we’re here — a very attractive reason — and she’s gone all shy and trying not to be noticed, and that’s difficult in a yellow trouser suit.’
Estella was laughing.
Diamond looked to his left to see how Lady Sally was taking this. She wasn’t sharing in the amusement. Evidence of the failing marriage? For all the banter between them, she and Ed had seemed a devoted couple until a moment ago.
Ed was saying, ‘Most of you know Estella is taking over from me as president of our esteemed Beau Nash Society — our new Beau — unless she decides to call herself the Belle. Does that have a good ring to it? Whatever it is, I want to congratulate her and wish her well, and if you’ll just step forward, Estella...’ He turned to Spearman. ‘Where are they, Jim?’
Spearman dipped behind a low wall and came up with a bouquet the size of Somerset. The mobile phones were out to take pictures but if a kiss was exchanged no one could tell behind the flowers as they passed from the Beau to the Belle. Estella had to return them to the ground straight away. She smiled and nodded her thanks and someone shouted, ‘Speech,’ and Sir Ed said, ‘No speeches. That’s all, folks.’
But somebody had other ideas. Who else but Crispin? He raised a hand and announced in beautifully articulated words, ‘Not quite all, Ed. After so many years as president you can’t be allowed to walk into the sunset without some token of our affection. We have a small surprise for you in the main reception room of your house. Yes, it’s come to that — you don’t even know what’s going on in your own home. If everyone would kindly move inside, we’ll unveil our small tribute to Sir Edward in a few minutes.’