‘I think I lost consciousness, because I don’t remember you coming down to get me, but Evie says you didn’t even hesitate, didn’t even think twice about risking your own life.’

Risking his own life? Okay. Duke gets that Clive is a bit shook up, but he’s being more than a smidge hyperbolic about it all. He slipped down a grassy bank and bumped his head, he didn’t snowball down a mountain peak in upper Nepal.

‘Clive …’ Duke starts, but Clive shakes his head.

‘No,’ he says. ‘You’ve been good to me, Duke. And I’ve been a bloody gannet, a bottom feeder, making a living off of you, and people like you. I know it’s not nice. I know I’ve invaded your privacy – and Daphne’s, too. It was me who got the photos of her with Brad. I knew it wasn’t right, selling them, and at the very least I should have told you what I’d seen so you didn’t find out in the papers. I don’t know. I just know I want to get home to my wife and kids and get out of this game whilst I’m still bloody well alive. I’ve had an epiphany. Is that what you call them? When you have a big sudden realisation?’

The group nods in unison, everyone listening to this man spill his guts over Duke’s lap.

‘You didn’t have to come after me, Duke, and you did, and you saved my life, if I’m honest. So, how can I go back to sitting in bushes outside your house or accepting tips from people whilst they’re stabbing you in the back? I’ve seen the error of my ways. I have. And I just want you to know that.’

Duke doesn’t know what to say. Thanks? Cool? Clive reaches out a hand for Duke to shake, and Duke takes it.

‘Cheers, mate,’ Clive says. ‘Goodnight, everyone.’

‘I’m going to make some calls to the west coast for ten minutes, if you’ll excuse me too,’ Malcolm says.

‘Is it just me,’ Duke asks, when they’ve both gone, ‘or is everything he just said all a bit …’

‘Dramatic?’ Evie supplies. ‘Yes. When I went to check on him before, he was like this too. But, in case you’re interested, I know for sure now who took those first photos of us, and who has been selling stories. They’ve been working together, it seems. He’s confessed everything to me.’

Duke winces again as he adjusts the ice pack.

‘It’s not Katerina, is it?’ he says, once the pain subsides, and Evie nods incredulously.

‘How did you know?’ she asks.

‘I … had a feeling,’ he replies. ‘I don’t know what to do about it though.’

‘Me neither. I had this whole half-developed plan in my head to catch her in the act, but …’