Jane had not been able to reach Tilly, not for lack of trying, but had spoken to Marcus, Steven, Amber, Myleene and Aiden, all of whom had agreed a meeting to discuss their predicament was a good idea. The only thing Jane hadn’t been able to control was where they met. She’d suggested a coffee house but after receiving a number of emails suggesting a pub instead, she had given in and agreed to go to The Maypole pub close to Jesus Green. Jane had quietly noted that three of the employees were happy to meet to grumble about their jobs being on the line but had not bothered to get involved with the wreath she had organised earlier in the week. Some people could be so selfish.

The Maypole, which stood in a quiet corner of the city, was a local institution. It was frequented by students and locals alike and remained undiscovered by most of the tourists who visited the city. It was well loved but mostly as a result of the great Italian food it served and the vast choice of gins and ales. Jane wasn’t a big drinker and would have felt more at home in the coffee shop she had originally proposed.

She sat with her back facing the rest of the room and the other punters and watched out the window, waiting for her colleagues to arrive. The first to appear was Marcus, sauntering along the pavement trying to avoid the slush with his pointed leather shoes. Around his neck was a tightly woven, extremely expensive, cashmere scarf.

‘Sorry I’m late,’ Marcus said, kissing the air on either side of Jane’s cheeks, which was something she loathed, ‘traffic is awful. May I get you another drink?’ He looked at her half full glass of juice.

‘No thank you,’ she replied curtly and sat down to watch for the others.

Marcus headed for the bar where a young man who had a large handlebar moustache welcomed him.

‘A glass of Chablis.’ Marcus’ eyes widened, enjoying the handsome man in his vision.

By six twenty everyone had arrived and the six of them crowed round the small pub table.

Myleene and Amber nattered quietly among themselves, both occasionally glancing up at the attractive barman and giggling. Steven and Aiden chatted about the latest football scores while sipping their pints, leaving Jane and Marcus sitting in an uncomfortable silence.

Detesting the relaxed atmosphere around the table, Jane cleared her throat loudly until everyone fell silent. ‘Thank you for coming. I think we should discuss the reason we are all here.’ Her wild hair shone orange beneath the dimmed artificial light. ‘Would anyone like to start?’

Marcus twiddled with the edge of his scarf, looking around the table at the others who all remained quiet.