A waiter arrived with a pot of freshly brewed coffee just as she was about to spill her good news, and she sat impatiently waiting for him to finish and leave.

Ewan examined her curiously. ‘You are a one, Jo Campbell. A unique being. And you know what? I’m delighted to say that I’m happy too. Surly me is on a break, even though I’ve only had about an hour’s sleep,’ he said. ‘I sat up all night writing, and it was one of those magical occasions when the words just flowed onto the page and I don’t think I was even in control of them.’

The waiter finally left and Jo felt free to speak. ‘That’s brilliant,’ she said, and she meant it. ‘I’m delighted for you. But you absolutely have to let me tell you my news because I’m pretty sure it’s going to make your day even better!’

Ewan sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers. ‘Do go on,’ he said. ‘I’m intrigued.’

‘I will!’ Jo replied enthusiastically. ‘You know how Libby was a bit of a rascal and sent you my book without me knowing?’

He nodded. ‘I do.’

‘Well, it seems you weren’t the only person she sent it to!’

The expression on Ewan’s face changed. The smile that he’d had was replaced with a furrow of his brow and a look of concern. Maybe he feared Libby had sent it to some dodgy agent who would take advantage of her, but she knew his smile would return when he heard it was Graham Westbury and they would be agency buddies.

‘She sent it to some literary agents. And one of them – in fact, one of them you know very well indeed – has just emailed me to say he has been up all night reading my book and he wants to represent me!’ Saying the words felt surreal, but she loved how they sounded. An agent, wanting to represent her. This was the dream.

‘Really? Wow! Who?’ Ewan was saying the right words, but his voice sounded funny. Something was off, although, if asked, Jo wouldn’t have been able to pinpoint exactly what.

‘Graham Westbury!’ she said, and threw in a little jazz-hands-style wave too – something she’d never done before in her life.

‘Wow!’ Ewan said while he rubbed the stubble of his chin and shook his head in disbelief. ‘That’s… well, that’s incredible.’

‘Isn’t it?’ Jo beamed. ‘He wants to chat to me on the phone ASAP and has invited me over to London for a face-to-face – at his expense!’

Jo watched as Ewan reached for his coffee cup and lifted it to his mouth. There was a slight tremble to his hands. This was not quite the reaction she had expected, but then it was still early and he was probably still feeling the effects of all the alcohol the previous night.