Peace and quiet reigned and the months rolled by. Each and every one of Tony’s clubs was thriving. The money was rolling in, profits were being made and life was on the up. So why was Jake so concerned about Tony?

‘Oh, God. No, Jake, love, please don’t tell me things are too quiet and he needs to start another war or something to create a little excitement.’ Sharon was in the office with Jake, while he was having his usual bacon sandwich and coffee. Sharon was looking through the stock sheets of champagne and working out her next order.

‘No, I don’t think so, Sharon, but you know he gets a bit restless at times, and I guess this is just one of those times.’

‘Why?’ said Sharon. ‘He’s a man with everything. Women fall at his feet, he’s handsome…’ Sharon saw the look on Jake’s face. ‘He’s not my type, of course. What I mean is, he’s rich, successful, feared and loved; what more could anyone want?’ Sharon heaved a deep sigh; it seemed ridiculous to her.

‘Well, he’s still hankering after that meeting with Ralph Gold and, to be fair, this year has whizzed by and we’ve heard nothing, yet. We’ll just have to wait and see if he does have a slot in his diary, maybe that’s what’s on Tony’s mind.’

‘So, it’s up to you to convince Tony that this is the calm before the storm, and he should enjoy the break before all the new challenges he’s desperate for are put before him.’ Sharon gave Jake a kiss on the cheek and left. Jake picked up his coffee mug and took the last gulp. Maybe Sharon was right. Time to recharge the batteries. Tony hadn’t had a holiday since their trip to Italy, last year. All he had done was work.

Even Jake and Sharon had been away; they’d needed some time together. It felt like his marriage was a little strained, these days. Apart from Sharon working at the clubs and going out with Ashley, he felt another man’s name kept popping up in conversation, and whenever Sharon did the banking, she seemed to come back smiling. He didn’t want to say anything; after the fuss he’d made about Ashley, he thought he might just be being paranoid.

In one way, Sharon was right. Tony and Jake had reached the top of their game. They were well-established, successful and wealthy. But, while Jake was worried about Tony, he also felt a pang of his own, deep inside. What was missing in both of their lives?

Christmas was looming again; it seemed like only yesterday the Christmas trees were being ordered for all of the clubs, and arrangements were being made for the staff bonuses and parties.

Elle was taking on the role of dealing with the Christmas card lists and main presents, while organising her own festive Christmas lunch for Tony, Jake and Sharon.

Every now and again, she went to Tony’s large mansion house. The house had CCTV monitors and lots of alarmed security installed, but Elle still thought there was nothing like the personal touch, and so would call in now and again just to check things over. She knew it was a waste of time, because nothing had changed, but she still felt like a part of Tony’s support network.