‘Good morning, this is Foxley & Myers Theatrical Agents. Can I help you? No, he’s not available. Yes, please call back.’ She replaced the phone, eyes brimming with tears.

‘We’ve been told not to say a word to anyone about what’s happened.’ She blew her nose again. ‘Mr. Myers says we have to be very careful if we get any calls from the press and we’re not to say nothing. But we don’t really know anything.’ She sniffed back her tears. ‘What’s happened to his dogs?’

Jane stepped forward. ‘They’re being taken care of, Angie. We would appreciate it if you and Rita would give us a few moments later on.’

She nodded. ‘I’ll just ring through and tell him you’re here. He’s expecting you.’

As they were heading down the corridor, one of the double entry doors opened and a short man came out, fixing his eyes on Angie.

‘I’ve been expecting four scripts that were apparently delivered yesterday fucking morning. My secretary even fucking warned you that they were important. I need to get them out to my clients yesterday. You two cunts rap and yack all day long. If I now find these scripts, I’m going to have you fucking fired!’

Jane could hardly believe it. The man leaned over the reception desk and began snatching at the large manila envelopes stacked to one side, muttering, ‘You fucking cunts, fucking cunts, where’s my stuff?’

Even more surprising was the way Angie, instead of being intimidated, began sifting through the envelopes with him.

‘If you don’t mind me saying so, your secretary is a dozy cow and if I had an urgent delivery to you, you would’ve bloody got it,’ she said. ‘Rita’s probably over in your office now, giving it to your secretary.’

The man spun on his Cuban heels, his tight jeans showing off his spindly legs underneath a large safari-type jacket. At that moment James Myers came out of his office at the end of the corridor and clocked Jane’s shocked expression.

‘Ah, I see you’ve met Daniel Bergman. You’ll have to ignore him. He tends to fly off the handle now and again. It’s the pressure of work. Fortunately, we’re quite used to him here. Can I offer you any tea or coffee?’

‘Coffee would be fine,’ Spencer said and Jane nodded. Myers then gestured for them to go into his office before turning to Angela.

‘Can you get Rita to bring three coffees? Make sure it’s Illy and the milk isn’t off.’ He followed Jane and Spencer into his office, closing the door behind him.

‘I called everyone in this morning and explained the terrible situation. I said it’s imperative we did not take any calls from the press.’