‘I have indeed.’ He folded his arms. ‘We do source locally, providing we have access to the best produce. In the case of wine, we have to go further afield to find the quality our customers demand. Even if that means importing New World wines.’

That was the final straw; I’d heard enough.

‘New World wines,’ I said hotly. ‘Meaning that their wine industries have opened up relatively recently. Places that only a few decades ago were in the position English wine is now. I bet you’d like Butterworth sparkling wines if you tried them, but you’re so far up your own—’

Olivia gasped lightly and laid a restraining hand on my arm. I took a deep breath.

‘You’re so predisposed not to like them,’ I went on, changing tack, ‘that you wouldn’t admit it even if you did find them acceptable.’

Thomas looked across at my cool bag and smirked. ‘Come on, then. Put your money where your mouth is, let’s try them.’

‘And while we get prepared for some wine-tasting in the studio, here’s The Christians with their eighties hit “Harvest for the World”,’ said Fiona smoothly, taking a deep breath as the music kicked in.

‘How long have we got?’ I asked, feeling an urgent pressing on my bladder. ‘I really need to go.’

‘Only three minutes,’ Fiona replied with a frown. ‘There’s no time for a comfort break.’

‘I’ll run.’

I scrambled off my chair, darted from the studio and broke the land speed record for going to the loo. I made it back as Fiona was fading the track out.

‘Jesus, I nearly had a heart attack,’ whispered Olivia, grasping at her throat as I threw myself back into my swivel chair.

‘So. The moment I’ve been waiting for ever since my producer told me who today’s guests were,’ said Fiona with a smile in her voice. ‘I’m about to get my first taste of English sparkling wine! Over to you, Lottie.’

Fear coursed through me. I’d brought along a Classic Cuvée 2013, a Blanc de Blanc 2016 and one of our brand-new Blanc de Noirs which had a pale pink glow to it, but I’d brought them thinking this was going to be a genteel affair, not the War of the Rosés. I could see what was going to happen: Thomas Devine would ruin us. He’d say they tasted awful when they didn’t and everyone back at Butterworth Wines would be mortified. And Jensen, who said he’d be listening in … My legs had started to shake now and I could feel the blood pumping in my ears.

‘Uh-oh, Fiona, I think she’s doubting herself.’ Thomas stretched his arms up and clasped his hands behind his head. The smug sod.

‘Butterworth Wines is one of the most promising vineyards I’ve had the pleasure of visiting,’ said Olivia, tilting her chin up at him. ‘That’s why I invited Lottie along to represent the best in English wines. No doubt about it.’