‘I never said I played the lead in Love All. When did I ever say that? You seem to think I’ve lied to you, but I honestly didn’t. I’m sure I told you.’

It was dark outside except for the flare of the streetlamp – and there was no small dog panting to be let in. I let the curtain swing back as I looked at Seb. I thought of his invitation to the small premiere in Piccadilly. What had his exact words been?

‘I’m sure you didn’t. And you must have known I thought you were playing the main part.’

‘Why?’ He pushed his dark hair back distractedly. ‘You never asked – I seem to recall you never asked which part I played. And if we’d gone in, if we’d watched the film, you would have seen.’

‘But you didn’t want to watch it.’

‘I hate watching myself, that’s why. I never think I’m good enough.’

‘So what was your part?’ I sat on the sofa opposite him. ‘Third undertaker from the left?’

He grinned. ‘No. A bit bigger than that, thank you very much. I played the hero’s brother.’

‘I see.’ That didn’t sound quite so bad.

‘It’s just,’ he sighed, ‘he does get killed in Afghanistan about ten minutes in.’

‘I see.’ I tried not to smile. ‘Third corpse from the left then?’

‘Something like that.’

We gazed at each other. Then, tentatively, he crossed the room and slowly sat next to me. ‘I mean, I had a proper part, Maggie. Lines and everything. I wasn’t trying to pull the wool over your eyes, I swear.’

I stood and crossed to my dad’s drinks cabinet. ‘Drink?’

‘I’m okay, Maggie, thanks. Are you all right now, then?’ he asked rather anxiously as I poured myself a whisky.

‘Kind of,’ I shrugged. ‘I resigned today, actually.’

He stared at me. ‘Really?’

‘Yes, really. Well, sort of. I think they got the message anyway. I’m not going back.’ I wrinkled my nose at my acrid drink. ‘And Digby’s –’ I swallowed hard, ‘he’s gone missing.’

Seb looked shocked. ‘Oh God, I’m sorry. When?’

I shrugged. ‘Sometime this morning. Early.’

‘Can I – do you want me to go and look for him?’

‘I don’t think there’s much point. I think someone’s taken him. He’s pedigree, you know. Maybe it’s a trader.’

We both knew I didn’t really think that.

‘Right.’ Seb pushed his hands through his hair, gazing at the fire. ‘Maggie, I’m so sorry about this mess. You’ve got enough on your plate.’

‘No, I’m sorry.’ I drained my glass. ‘I’m just in a bit of a state. I probably overreacted.’

‘Well, I should have been more upfront, I suppose – I didn’t lie, but perhaps I was trying to impress you.’

‘So what about your audition this morning? Was that real?’