I was back in the lounge and circulating. All my guests had arrived and I was waiting for the right moment to make my declaration about Tobey so that I could bring this godawful evening to a close. They may have been Tobey’s enemies, but they certainly weren’t my friends. I felt low, sort of heartsick and deflated, but there was a sharper edge to it than that. Now that I’d heard it from Tobey himself, I couldn’t shake off the sense of betrayal riding my back, lashing at me. After everything we’d been through, Tobey was supposed to have my back. Always. What a sad, sorry joke.

After a brief platitudinous conversation with Eva and Patrix, I spotted Owen seated at the piano across the room, deep in conversation with Sephy. There was an earnest back and forth between them that was growing in not just intensity but animosity. From their body language, it was safe to assume they weren’t discussing the pros and cons of the proposed football ultra league. Whatever they were debating, it looked like a conversation I should be a part of, so I headed in their direction. They were so intent on each other, they didn’t even register my arrival.

‘If you’re thinking of selling Specimens to Jeavons instead of me, I would strongly advise against it,’ said Owen. ‘I will match and surpass any offer he makes.’

‘How many more times? Neither of you are offering what Specimens is really worth, but it makes no difference. I’m not selling my restaurant to either of you,’ Sephy insisted. ‘It was my husband’s enterprise and I’m keeping it. It’s what he would’ve wanted.’

‘Oh, spare me the false sentiment, Persephone. You’re great at the holier-than-thou act, aren’t you? Yet I have it on good authority that you and your restaurant are about to be investigated by the ARCS for under-reporting your profits. You’ve been skimming money off the top, probably for years. And d’you really think it’s not known that you killed your husband Nathan for the insurance? Everyone knows Specimens was in trouble, so what better way for you to get money in a hurry—’

Sephy drew her hand back and walloped Owen so hard and fast that I got sympathetic whiplash.

‘Say that again. I dare you,’ Sephy challenged.

Dowd looked like he was going to return Sephy’s slap with interest. In my apartment. At my dinner party. Hell, no! Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tobey start forward to get between them, but I beat him to it.

‘Don’t even think about it,’ I told him quietly. Then louder: ‘Owen and Sephy, I think you’ve forgotten where you are and that you both have an audience.’