“Dropped you a note?” I was fully indignant now. “Belinda, I wrote you two letters. And since I didn’t know where you’d be staying, I addressed one to you, care of Golden Pictures, and one, care of the Beverly Hills Hotel. Do you mean to tell me you didn’t receive either of them?”

“Of course I didn’t receive them. I never went back to Golden Pictures. It’s been virtually shut down by Mr. Goldman’s widow; at least all work is halted for now. And my budget certainly didn’t run to the Beverly Hills Hotel.”

Sir Toby cleared his throat. “Given the circumstances, Belinda, I think I should depart as rapidly as possible. So if you young ladies don’t mind stepping outside while I get dressed . . .”

Belinda followed me out onto the landing. “Honestly, Georgie. You’ve spoiled everything.”

She stood there, glaring at me while I squirmed in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, but you did offer and I did write to tell you. And I’m not about to walk out into the storm at this hour so that you can finish your little tryst with a cabinet minister.”

Sir Toby emerged, now looking more like himself in dark suit and old school tie. “I’ll just be toddling off home then, Belinda,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll pick up a cab on Knightsbridge. I’ll see myself out.”

Belinda followed him down the stairs. “Will I see you again soon?”

He cleared his throat in that annoying way that some men have. “I don’t really think that would be wise . . . much as I’d like to. Can’t afford to risk bringing scandal to the party, you know. Let’s just put tonight behind us. Forget all about it.”

And with that he grabbed his overcoat, opened the front door and stepped out into the storm.

I stood there at the top of the stairs, then came down slowly. We looked at each other in tense silence.

“Oh well, that’s that, I suppose,” Belinda said. “Is there anything to drink in the house?”

“I could make you a cup of tea, or I believe there is cocoa,” I replied.

This made her burst into laughter. “God, Georgie, why do you have to be so damned pure and naïve all the time? When are you going to grow up and realize what life is all about and when people say they need a drink they mean a large whiskey, not bloody cocoa.”

“I think you have Scotch in your drinks cabinet,” I said. “And my life is very different from yours, Belinda. I don’t bring cabinet ministers home for sex. As a matter of fact I don’t bring anybody home for sex.”