‘It’s not the X-Factor, get on with it!’ heckles someone near the front, drawing riotous laughter. Ed breaks into a huge smile.

‘You can tell it’s a Friday night in Manchester! OK, well after the final book in The Threat trilogy came out, I announced my retirement from writing. Well, I’m sorry to say I was a bit premature in announcing that. I was burnt out and a bit jaded with the whole process. But over the past two years, ideas began to percolate and I started tentatively writing a little bit each day and I fell in love with the process again, so I am delighted to announce that I have a new book on the way! I’m not going to give too much away, but I can confirm that it is a novella that is set between the third and fourth Threat books.’

The audience launch into a loud round of applause.

‘It should be out around mid-July and the fourth full length Threat book is scheduled for release roughly around this time next year,’ Ed continues once the clapping has abated, ‘I literally emailed the final copy of the novella to the publishers this morning so I’m feeling a huge sense of relief. And now, Reuben!’

‘Thanks Ed,’ Reuben starts, much less enthusiastically. ‘Well, as you may or may not know, the second film in The Threat series, Hell Hammer, is out next week.’

An excited cheer erupts.

‘We’re having a premiere in the Trafford Centre Odeon next Wednesday and you could win two tickets. We’ll tell you how at the end of the evening. My announcement, and it feels a little ill timed, is that I have been tasked with directing the final Threat film.’

Another cheer erupts, however a young man, probably around twenty years old, sitting a few seats to my left is shaking his head. His left hand shoots up in the air and Reuben points at him.

‘Why?’ the man asks.

‘Why what?’ Reuben replies.

‘Why have you got the job? The Threat was such a good book but the film adaptation was dreadful. You left out loads of important bits and royally fucked up the murder scenes. How have you managed to stay in a job?’

Reuben looks furious.

‘What’s your name?’

‘Ben,’ the man answers, his self-assuredness on parade as he puffs out his chest.

I can’t help but think that he must be very brave or very stupid to be picking a fight, publicly, with someone who is clearly not in a good mood.

‘Well, Ben, I’m sorry that you didn’t enjoy the film and I agree, the book is amazing, in fact, the whole series is, and I feel very lucky that I’ve had the opportunity to bring them to life. I suggest that if you are not a fan of the films, don’t bother going to see them.’

Ben does not look appeased.

‘Why did you insist on Anna being naked in the film? She wasn’t naked in the book and it seemed like a gratuitous choice to me.’