I certainly haven’t the courage to bring it up with him explicitly. Not again!

‘Nice shirt,’ he says, about the sapphire-blue silk blouse I have in my hand.

‘Probably, it won’t fit me.’ I laugh.

‘If not, order another size.’ Harry smiles his lopsided grin.

I smile, properly, for the first time all day.

‘Sit tight, Gracie. Leave Alex with me. I’ll be in touch.’

Harry departs, closing the door behind him.

I try on the shirt. It fits beautifully.

24

I’m in bed when Jordan calls. Not contrite. Not to apologise. He asks if I’ve heard from Alex. I tell him things are in hand. For the sake of our respective careers, we remain civil. I tell him what I know:

‘Harry has apprised Joanna of the situation. She’s contacted the chief editor at Chit Chat and is refusing to work with Alex henceforth. She’s also threatened to blacklist the entire publishing group, and sue on whatever grounds her lawyers devise. She’s contemplating Alex didn’t have permission to be inside the flat. I believe her formidable reputation hit the spot.’

I then explain to Jordan the risk of Alex touting the pictures elsewhere. Harry thinks it’d be a hard sell, as I’m not a huge Hollywood star and it’s not that big of a deal. When Jordan wails the label itself is an issue, I tell him Alex would have no idea that’s anything to barter with.

‘I don’t care what he does with them after early April. At that point, it’ll be free advertising.’ Jordan is mollified. ‘Bring it.’

I’d prefer the pictures never see the light of day.

‘That’s all I can tell you, Jordan.’

‘Keep me posted?’

‘Of course. When can you clear out the basement? And I’ll need my keys back, please.’

Jordan does his usual sucking-his-breath-in, like he’s inhaling the phone. ‘I’m staying with Robert. There’s no room for boxes.’

I admire the nails on my left hand during the prolonged silence. The peachy polish of my manicure is perfect.

Jordan clears his throat. ‘I’ll have to arrange a storage unit. Will you be in on Saturday?’

‘I can be. What time?’

‘Around lunchtime?’

‘See you at noon.’

I hit the gym. I eat well, incorporating lots of healthy vegetable juices and protein shakes into my new regime. Thankfully, I don’t have any promotional parties or engagements I have to attend this weekend. Friday after work, I shop at John Lewis. Not for clothes, because I have enough of that for the show. I go on a spending spree for my soon to be very own home – Faith will be over in the morning to help me with the final papers. I buy pretty mugs of fine bone china. Cut crystal ware glasses. Sparkly scatter cushions for the sofa. Girly linen for my bed.