The week after Sam started, the invites to the Vision Awards arrived. I had absolutely no interest in going this year; I’d networked and schmoozed with enough bumptious producers and commissioners to last me a lifetime. More to the point, since my drunken lunch with Charlie, much to my surprise, I was finding the path of abstinence more enticing than I’d believed possible. Award ceremonies inevitably meant copious amounts of anything that took your fancy, accompanied by copious opportunities for making a complete arse of yourself.

‘No thanks.’ I shook my head at Charlie when he dropped the tickets on my desk. ‘Not this time. You go.’

Charlie, on the other hand, had other ideas.

‘I want you to represent Double-decker, and I want you to take Sam and Joseph. And keep an eye on Renee.’

‘Do me a favour,’ I groaned. ‘God, why?’

‘Let’s just say we’re keeping Daddy Crosswell and Uncle Lyons sweet.’

‘Let Sally take them,’ I implored. ‘Or Donna. All the girls are dying to go. I’m trying really hard to keep on the straight and narrow – just like you said.’

‘They’re your responsibility, Maggie, those boys. Don’t let me down.’

The morning of the ceremony at the Dorchester, Alex rang from

Glasgow airport.

‘Maggie, baby, I’ve completely fucked up.’

‘Really?’ I said wearily, tucking the phone under one ear to put my mascara on. It was a hot day, unseasonably so for early June, and my summer dress already felt like a fur coat.

‘Tom’s just rung. It’s Ma’s sixtieth today. It had kind of slipped my mind.’

‘Oh, Alex, honestly.’ I wished I was surprised. ‘Your poor mum.’

‘Help me out, Mag, can you, please? Sorry, hang on a sec.’ He put more money in the beeping payphone. ‘Look, order some flowers from us, would you? My battery’s died and I’ve just missed my flight.’

‘I’m pretty busy myself, Alex. We’ve got an away-day and then the bloody Vision Awards tonight.’

‘What awards? And I also forgot –’ He paused as the Tannoy announced an imminent departure. ‘We’re, er – we’re meant to be having dinner with them tonight.’

‘For God’s sake, Alex. You should have told me before.’ I shoved the mascara back into my make-up bag. ‘You’ll have to go without me. Charlie’s got me over a barrel.’

‘Why?’ He sounded like a small abandoned boy.

‘I told you, Alex, at least ten times. I’ve got to chaperone these bloody kids and the diva herself. We’re up for Best Daytime Show. Charlie will go mental if I try to wriggle out of it now.’ I didn’t add that it felt like my last chance. ‘I’m really sorry, but you’ll have to go without me. I’ll call your mum.’

‘But I need you, Mag, I really do.’

‘Why?’

‘I always need you, baby,’ he wheedled.