‘Yes, I did. His agent called me Wednesday evening. He started off by apologising but then he kept spouting some nonsense about these things sometimes happen and that it was not really anyone’s fault. Bloody idiot. He didn’t exactly say so in so many words, but he implied that it wouldn’t happen again, just as long as, in future, I paid his premium. I told him to get lost and to never call me again. I got the impression he found that quite funny and he warned me that all agents would soon be doing it and then I’d find myself without any jockeys prepared to ride my horses. God, I was so angry.’

‘Did you report the conversation to the BHA?’

‘No, of course not. Waste of time. It would be just my word against his. It wasn’t as if I had a recording of it or anything.’

‘Make one if he calls you again.’

He laughed but it wasn’t out of amusement. ‘Yeah, maybe I’ll do that. Let’s hope he never does.’

Yes, I thought, and let’s hope he never offers to lend you any money either. But I didn’t say it.

When I checked again at five o’clock, the little blue circle was on the move, northward on the A61 towards Ripon—and Ripon was on the route from Harrogate to Middleham.

I called Marcus Capes.

‘Hello,’ he said.

‘Hi, Marcus, it’s Sid. Are you still in the car with Noel Kline on the way back from Hexham?’

‘Yes,’ he said.

‘When will you be getting home?’

‘Soon, I think. We left before the last. We’re almost there.’

‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Just listen to me. Don’t talk or react.’

‘Fine,’ he said.

‘I think Anton Valance may be on his way to see you.’

I could hear a slight groan from the other end.

‘Now listen, Marcus. That’s a good thing. If he wanted to simply turn in the video to the BHA, he wouldn’t bother to come and see you, now would he?’

‘I suppose not.’

‘Well, then. You’re safe, but there’s something I need you to do.’

I told him what it was.

‘Okay,’ he said. ‘I’ll try.’ He sounded afraid.

‘Don’t worry,’ I said, trying to be encouraging. ‘Everything will be all right. And well done today. Great win.’

‘Yeah, it was, wasn’t it?’

‘Yes, really good. And one more thing. Best not to mention anything about what I’ve just said to Mr Kline. Ask him to drop you at home first as you have things to do. Tell him this call is from your girlfriend and she’s coming over to help you celebrate your win, or something like that, and you need to clean your place up before she gets there.’

As if his room could be made any cleaner.