Stephen grabbed the press reports out of her hand and waved them in front of her face. “Listen, we shouldn’t be talking like this today. We’ve got great news. Rebecca Talworth is made, and all thanks to us. We should be celebrating.”

Jackie smiled at him. “You’re right. We should be.”

Stephen let out a sigh of relief. “Jeez, I’m glad you said that. You had me worried there for a minute.”

“I worry myself quite often.”

“Well, don’t.” He gave her arm a quick squeeze. “Listen, I’ve got a great idea.”

“And what might that be?”

“I have to head off to Milan the week after next to see if I can strike a deal over the rental of the new premises. Why don’t you come with me?”

Jackie shook her head. “I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve got something on.”

“What have you got on?”

Jackie laughed. “I don’t know exactly what. I’d have to check my diary.”

“Come on, then.” He grabbed her forcefully by the arm and marched her out of his office, across the corridor, and into her own. “Right, let’s check it.”

Having been made to hurry, Jackie now took her time, deliberately flicking through the pages of her diary. She came to the appropriate date and ran her finger down the central spine to smooth them open. “Can’t do it, I’m afraid. It’s Millie and Nina’s half term.”

Stephen detected the hint of disappointment in her voice, and sensed that all was not lost. “Surely the great and wonderful Battersea Gran could look after them?”

“God, don’t talk about her. She’s been a nightmare lately. I get a different lecture every time I go home.” Jackie drew down the sides of her mouth as she reeled off a host of Battersea Gran’s requests in a whining Cockney accent. “Why can’t you make an effort to go to one of Nina’s concerts? Can’t you do some of the shopping for a change? It would be nice if you could at least be here at the weekends, so I could go back to my own place for a bit. And why don’t you ever phone Dan?”

Stephen’s eyes lit up. “Why don’t you?”

Jackie shot him an acid look. “Don’t you start as well.”

“I’m not meaning it in that way. Why don’t you call and ask if the girls can go up to stay with him and your son for half term? It would be a great adventure for them. Have they ever been to Scotland?”

“No,” Jackie replied with a shrug.

“Well, there you are. There’s your solution. And what’s more, you’d be scoring a few Brownie points with Battersea Gran by letting her get back to her flat for a week.”