His mouth quirks. “That’s about it. He’s having a house party for a few days in a country hotel. They’ve rented out the whole hotel.”

“For a few days? Is he Richard Branson?”

He laughs. “No, but his future bride is the daughter of someone worth the same money.”

“Oh, okay.” The record comes to a jerky screech. “What? A bride?”

Incredibly, he smiles. “Yes, a bride.”

“But he was with you for five years.”

“There is something called bisexuality,” he says mildly.

“Are you bisexual?” I want to gasp because that was incredibly personal, but he just shrugs, an almost sad expression on his face.

“No, I’m gay.” He pauses and then waves a hand as if dismissing the conversation. When he speaks next his voice is very brisk and businesslike. “The house party will be a few days full of activities for the wedding party at a hotel in the Cotswolds. Then they’ll get married a month later. I’d like you to come with me to both events.”

“Do you really want to do this?” I ask softly. “That’s a hard thing to do. You were together for five years. Spending that amount of time with him and his new partner won’t be particularly nice.”

He shrugs, looking awkward. “I have to. I’m the best man.” I make a choked sound but he ignores me, still speaking like a model of a businessman. “I meant to do something about it before, but the time passed quicker than I noticed, and now the week is on me and I need to take someone with me.”

“And that’s me?” He nods. “You do know you could find someone—” I snap my fingers. “—just like that?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t want any romantic complications. I’m a private person, and this is a lot of time to spend with someone. If I take you, we both know it’s just a business transaction. I’ll pay your usual fee and double it. Would you be interested?”

“But you think I’m incompetent.”

He looks startled. “I do not. Where on earth did you get that ridiculous idea?”

“The amount of times you’ve bollocked me in your office.”

He shakes his head. “You just care about people,” he says. “Too much,” he finishes darkly. “You get involved and want to help and sometimes that goes wrong. I have to tell you off, but it doesn’t mean I don’t understand.”

I stare at him. “This would have made the last three years much more understandable,” I say faintly.

There’s a flush on his cheeks, and he has the appearance of someone who’s being tortured, but he looks at me determinedly. “So, would you be interested?” He smiles slightly. “I promise not to tell you off while we’re away.”