Briony looked at the little man with shrewd eyes. ‘A percentage of the royalties as well? That’s what Templar have offered.’

‘Then of course that would be fine by us. The girl has something about her ... youth, talent. My God, such talent! She also has a presence lacking in so many artists today. I have watched her, seen how she plays to her audience. The girl’s a natural.’

Briony nodded in agreement. Her eyes were burning with ambition for her sister, with the knowledge that this little man with the bad breath and cocky manner could make Kerry into a star.

‘Tell your lawyers to contact mine with the contracts. We’ll talk again next week. How’s that?’

Pieter smiled.

‘That suits me down to the ground, my dear.’ He stood up. ‘I will leave you now. Thank you for the coffee, and I look forward to seeing you one week from today.’ Clicking his heels together, he left the room.

Briony relaxed into her chair. She would get Kerry signed, sealed and delivered then they would drop the bombshell about little junior. If she went into recording, they could keep her from the public gaze for a few months, once the pregnancy became noticeable. Then, once the child arrived, they could get someone to mind it. It was the only solution. She knew through Jonathan that a lot of the stars in movies these days were hiding a multitude of sins. He was one of the few outsiders to be told about Kerry’s child, and had been very supportive, telling Briony that he would do anything he could to help.

It seemed that his first legitimate acting part had made him overnight. He photographed well and looked the part of the movie star, even though he was far from being one yet. She would do the same thing with Kerry. Let her sign the contracts, get a few records under her belt. Become a known name and face. Then once the child was born, they would go on from there.

She had promised Jonathan that once Berwick Manor was underway, she would allow him to hold a big party there, a great big madhouse party, with her girls and his friends. Female as well as male. It would be a wonderful advertisement. The rich and famous gravitated towards one another.

Marcus Dowling, now her number two, walked into the office and Briony jumped. She’d been so deep in thought she hadn’t heard him knock.

‘Marcus! You made me jump!’

He smiled. He was big, blond and devastatingly handsome. He sat down opposite her and grinned, showing perfect white teeth.

‘I’m sorry to barge in like this, Miss Cavanagh, but I needed to talk to you.’

Briony poured them both a drink.

‘Go on.’

‘Well, it’s about the men you intend to employ at the Berwick.’

‘What about them? I picked them all myself.’

Marcus smiled.