‘But the choice of Brook Street Studios isn’t just happenstance. When he was a student, Curtis fancied himself an artist, a musician, a thespian. He realised he couldn’t play a note, but the talent seems to have bypassed him to his son, who’s currently living in Tokyo. Something of a digital busker, from what I can tell. Styles himself “Kun Jameso”’ – the quote marks dripped stickily from his mouth. ‘So, in order to entice young James home from time to time, he wants to keep rooms for him here in Leamington, which might appeal to him more lifestyle-wise than the manor in Haseley Knob. And what better pad than a house in the hippest town in Warwickshire with a culturally significant recording studio attached?’

‘I don’t understand. I thought they were ripping out the studio equipment and turning the whole house into flatlets. If Curtis and James are such keen musicians, why don’t they just leave the equipment intact? Worthing’s manager is almost forcing Vincent to throw the kit away.’

‘I couldn’t say. But I can guess. If you’re a very wealthy person, buying a recording studio for your son as a present, you’ll want to have the latest, top-of-the-range equipment, not some second-hand fare.’

‘Nuh-uh,’ Petra shook her head. ‘That doesn’t add up. If he wants the studio for its historic value, he’ll want to keep that beautiful control desk at least. It’s a classic, from the little I know. Important music has been recorded with it.’

‘It may be a strategy of some sort,’ Ben said. ‘You don’t get where Worthing has got without being shrewd.’

‘What a waste,’ she said. But as she was shaking her head, the penny finally dropped. ‘What a bastard!’

‘What?’ Suki asked.

‘They intended to keep the studio intact all along. They’ve been threatening Vincent that they’re going to throw the equipment out, but they’ve wanted to keep it all along. They’re tricking him into giving it away for nothing. They’re charging him to store it there! What utter bastards!’

Suki pursed her lips. ‘Aka good business.’

‘But wait,’ Ben said, bringing attention back to his story. Worthing’s profiteering treachery clearly left him cold. ‘It’s this connection with the dramatic arts where we come across your Mizzes Jouval and Barnes.’ He paused to eat another chip.

‘Yes?’ Petra stole a glance at Suki’s watch. There was still no word about her mother, and reception would call her as soon as there was. She had time to indulge Ben’s storytelling style.