He winced. “OK, OK. Point taken. Look, Kate, I’m truly sorry about that. I shouldn’t have mentioned it to Richard and raised his hopes without clearing it with Kevin. When it comes to things like contracts, he’s the man who makes the decisions. He keeps me right. In the business side of things, he’s the boss. But this other thing, it’s personal. This is really important to me, Kate. Listening to what I want won’t cost you anything. Please,” he added. I had the feeling it was a word he’d lost familiarity with.

Wearily, I nodded. “OK. Three o’clock. If I can’t make it, I’ll ring and rearrange it. But no promises.”

He looked as if I’d taken the weight of the world off his shoulders. “I appreciate it, Kate. Look, tell Richard what I said. Tell him I’m really sorry, would you? I’ve not got so many

I nodded and pushed my way through the crowds. By the time I’d reached the door, Jett and his problems were at the back of my mind. What was important to me now was helping Richard through the night.

When the alarm went off the following morning, Richard didn’t even stir. I slid out of bed, trying not to disturb him. If how I felt was any guide, he’d need at least another six hours’ sleep before he returned from Planet Hangover. I headed for the kitchen and washed down my personal pick-me-up. Paracetamol, vitamins C and B complex and a couple of zinc tablets with a mixture of orange juice and protein supplement. With luck, I’d rejoin the human race somewhere around Billy Smart’s house.

I had a quick shower, found a clean jogging suit and picked up a bottle of mineral water on the way out of the front door. Poor Richard, I thought as I slipped behind the wheel of the car and drove off. I’d caught up with him in the foyer, kicking his heels for want of a better target while he waited for a taxi. He’d been grimly silent all the way home, but as soon as he’d had half a pint of Southern Comfort and soda, he’d started ranting. I’d joined him in drink because I couldn’t think of anything else to do or say that would make it better. He’d been shat on from a great height, and that was an end to it. It didn’t make me feel any better about having agreed to Jett’s request for a meeting, but luckily Richard was too wrapped up in his own disappointment to wonder why it had taken me so long to catch up with him.