‘They’ve got seven five-star hotels! Two in Salzburg, one in Innsbruck, three in Vienna, Zell am See obvs, one in Lech—’

‘That’s eight.’

‘Is it?’ Matty frowned. ‘Oh . . . well anyway, they’ve got lots. Julian’s brothers run the ones in the cities but he says he’s always loved being in the mountains. That’s why he’s so focused on developing the winter sports sides of things. His grandfather set up the first hotel here in Zell and then his father expanded the portfolio into what it is now; but Julian’s determined to branch out into other ventures altogether. He doesn’t want to do hotels.’

‘He wants to be a fashion designer.’ Clover couldn’t keep the wry note from her voice.

‘No! The clothing range is nothing. He’s got such big plans, he’s been hiding his light under a bushel. Did you know he was the person behind getting the snowpark built at Kaprun?’

‘No,’ Clover sighed, not really that interested. Julian’s other ventures didn’t concern them. He was Kit Foley’s sponsor, that was all that was relevant. ‘I did not.’

‘Oh yeah. He’s invested in all the machinery and equipment for building it. And he brought in these famous parkitects.’ She giggled. ‘Isn’t that a great word? Parkitect. They design the snowparks especially for you. He said it cost a bomb but he’s so focused on really getting the area on the map.’ She dropped her voice to a stage whisper. ‘He’s even in talks with the World Snowboarding Federation about the town becoming a sponsor.’

‘Why are you whispering?’

‘Because he said it was a secret.’

‘Well if it’s a secret, then why did he tell you?’

Matty grinned. ‘Because he trusts me.’ This was code for: ‘and therefore must love me’. ‘He’s such a blue-sky thinker. He has these massive ambitions and just . . . goes for them. No hesitations.’

‘Yeah, you can do that when you have money to burn,’ Clover muttered, rolling onto her back. ‘And what about Salzburg?’

‘So pretty!’

‘I mean, the contact he introduced you to. The entire point of the trip?’ Clover’s hair rustled on the pillow as she looked over at her friend.

‘Oh, him.’ Matty’s giddy smile faded. ‘Yes, fine. Dull.’

‘What were the “synergies” they wanted to discuss?’

Matty’s brow wrinkled as she dug into her champagne-soaked brain. ‘He mainly wanted to know about our marketing channels for the film: what festivals we were entering it into; our publicity plans; whether you’re doing a promotional tour.’

Clover considered for a moment. ‘Visibility, in other words. They want a good return on their investment in pretty boy.’

‘Pretty boy?’

‘Foley,’ Clover tutted. ‘Who else?’

Matty’s mouth opened. ‘You’ve never called him pretty before!’

Clover stared at her incredulousness, incredulously. ‘I didn’t actually mean it! It’s a saying! And hardly a complimentary one, either.’