"Wow, you look… amazing." Joe gaped at Rebecca as she entered the lounge, wearing a long silver ball gown.
"Well, thank you. You look very dashing yourself." Rebecca stood on tiptoes to kiss him.
"Isn't anyone going to say how nice I look?" said Graham.
"You look lovely, Graham," Joe assured him.
"Where are your masks?" Rebecca asked. Joe picked up a gold masquerade mask and held it up to his face.
"Graham, where's yours?"
"I'm wearing it," he said dryly.
"Don't be such a spoilsport." Rebecca swatted Graham as he raised his eyebrows.
"I'm not really in the party mood," he explained.
"It's all for a good cause," said Joe. "And it's good publicity for Home Farm..." Graham rolled his eyes.
"You don't fool me, Mr Tate." Rebecca adjusted Joe's bow tie. "I think it's lovely that you're doing this for Sarah."
"I hope it goes well." Joe looked momentarily worried.
"Of course it will. Why wouldn't it?"
"Free entry to residents of the village might not have been such a good idea. If the place gets trashed or robbed..."
"There speaks Tom Waterhouse," said Graham.
"I'm just saying, we need to be on the lookout for troublemakers."
"There won't be any trouble." Graham avoided his boss's gaze. "I just need to make a quick phone call." He got up and headed for the downstairs corridor.
"He's been a bit mysterious lately," Rebecca remarked. Joe looked at her. "More so than usual."
"He's probably just nervous about this party. Lots of booze flowing..."
"I didn't think of that." Rebecca chewed her lip. "We'd better keep an eye on him."
"What about you? Will you be alright with all these random people here?"
"Of course." Rebecca hesitated. "Just don't go too far, OK?"
"Don't worry. I want you at my side all evening to show you off." Joe kissed her.
"Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds." Graham stuck his head around the door, his phone still to his ear. "The guests are arriving."
"Stay with me, okay?" Joe said urgently to Rebecca. He took her arm and quickly arranged his face into a welcoming smile, ready for the ball to begin.