‘Darling, we’re only teasing,’

Alex is clever enough to agree. ‘Of course.’

I smile charitably at the pair of them. I wonder if, tonight, they’ll go home together and shag?

‘Scrappy or not, I have to go. I have to fetch Benny. After I drop him off, I’ll rustle up more dirty sex secrets with my mystery boyfriend.’ I put on my coat.

‘Benny is stopping with you one more night,’ Faith says.

‘Sorry?’

‘The boys called and convinced me to agree. I must say, Robert is rather charismatic. Is he as gorgeous as you’ve always said?’ Faith asks.

It’s stopped me in my tracks, learning that Robert, and Jordan, have spoken directly with Faith.

I remember she had included a note with her number and a copy of Benny’s insurance with his things. Benny is her cat. This is Faith’s business. But it pinches me, nonetheless, that I’ve been cut out of the loop.

On the set today, I’d noticed, again, with a small twinge of something not entirely pleasant, that lots of people pop by our studio to speak with Faith.

Am I jealous? This has never happened before. Not in all our years of friendship. My nightmare last night hadn’t revealed how she’d responded to Harry’s declaration of love, what Faith had done when I lost him to her charms. It’s obviously making me act a bit mental today. I shake off all such thoughts from my mind.

‘I also have an interview with Liz Martin. Sorry, but I do need to go. So, I’m returning Benny to you tomorrow, Faith. That’s the revised plan?’

‘Tomorrow morning. Give Benny a big cuddle from me will you please? I miss him so much.’

‘Of course. So, we’ll tell Joanna we’re agreed on a dating competition tomorrow? Are we done?’

‘Gracie, we’re done,’ Faith says. ‘Go, darling. We have our plan.’

‘Same again?’ Alex asks, his hand around Faith’s empty wine glass

‘Yes please, same again,’ she says. ‘Bye, Gracie. Enjoy your evening!’

I recall Harry’s warning that we should watch our backs around Alex.

In the corner, a trio of brass players assembles and strikes up the first notes. The tune is annoyingly familiar but it’s only when I get outside that I realise what they were playing: There May Be Trouble Ahead.

I meet Liz without fuss, and am pleased to share the new programme recipes with her. Returning home, I’m barely through the front door when Jordan flies up from the basement. An unexpected greeting, I wonder if Jordan’s taken our talk this morning on board.

‘Thank God you’re home,’ he sighs. ‘There’s a problem with this cat.’

I gasp and hold my breath until Robert emerges up the stairs carrying a most contented-looking Benny.

‘It’s hardly a problem,’ Robert counters cheerily.

‘Robert, it’s a disaster!’ Jordan insists.