‘Don’t do that. Kelly’s sending a car. I’m sorry I left you all afternoon. I need to drive to Allerdale House, just to collect a file of drawings that I can work on tomorrow; it’s my day off and I intend to spend it with you.’

‘Studying drawings?’

‘It’s better than being on your own. This might all be over and we could go out.’

‘Did Kelly say that?’

‘No, but it can’t go on for ever, can it?’

‘I tried to call Alexandros again, but it went dead.’

‘The line to Cyprus is crap. Keep trying. Use the landline; don’t waste your mobile bill.’

They hung up.

He closed up the marina and drove to Allerdale House. Sebastian had given him the code to get in through the gate, and he pressed it into the pad. The gates opened and he drove through. The view of the lake took his breath away, despite having seen it many times before. It was the way the gardens sloped down to the beach, and the view of the water in the distance so private and untouched. He wondered idly who took care of the gardening.

As he opened the back door, he heard voices. He stopped and listened, wondering if somebody had let themselves in without permission. He’d promised to let Sebastian know if anyone came and went without his say-so.

‘Who’s there?’ He heard a voice shout from upstairs. He was sure it was Sebastian, and thought it odd that he hadn’t informed him that he’d be coming up from London.

‘It’s just me,’ he called back. ‘I came to get some drawings I left here.’

‘Graeme?’ Sebastian appeared at the top of the beautiful double staircase. He was dressed in a robe, and the top of it was open.

‘I’m sorry I disturbed you. I’ll get my file and go.’

‘Wouldn’t you care to join us?’

Graeme didn’t know how to respond. Hadn’t he made it clear he wasn’t interested? Another man appeared behind his boss, dressed in a similar manner. He’d walked in on a love tryst. He looked at his feet. ‘I won’t be a minute.’

He walked through to the orangery, where he knew he’d left the file of ideas. He picked it up and turned round. Sebastian was standing at the foot of the stairs holding an old rifle. Graeme dropped the file.

‘What the fuck?’

‘Graeme, I can’t have anyone know I’m here.’