Jake looked at Tony, amazed. That crafty old sod had always intended on taking the job, he had already informed all the old members that the club had a new owner and would be re-opening soon.

‘You seem to have thought of everything, Mr Mathers. What would we do without you? Of course, we’re planning to get the decorators in to spruce the club up a little. As you know, the kitchen area will have to be sorted out. Would your housekeeper be willing to carry on with her good work, do you think?’ Sharon knew how to appeal to this man; although she was acting like the lady of the manor, she was still entrusting the butler to make all of the necessary arrangements. That was the way he liked it. ‘Maybe I could meet Ashley, and we could discuss the entertainment?’ Sharon left it as an open question and waited.

‘I think that would be acceptable. I’ll contact him immediately and let him know you wish to meet him.’

Suddenly, Tony and Jake realised they were not included in the conversation. All these arrangements were between Mr Mathers and Sharon. Tony and Jake just looked on, like sleeping partners of the club. Or spare parts.

‘So, Mr Mathers, do we have a deal? Are you going to carry on doing your good work and look after our gentlemen?’ Sharon smiled at him. She didn’t want it to sound cold, like a job interview. It was obvious Mr Mathers knew his stuff and had been around the block many times and seen it all. On the surface, he was the typical English butler; underneath, he knew everyone’s secrets.

All the men in that club had confided in him at some point or another, and he knew everything about them. They trusted him, and it would be hard going to find someone else they would trust in the same way. Of course he was going to carry on with his old job, he had always intended to, he’d just wanted to make his presence known. He was nobody’s fool, and he wanted the great Mr Lambrianu to know it.

‘Of course,’ interrupted Tony, trying to think of something to say, so that he wouldn’t be totally forgotten, ‘there would be a wage increase, and if there was anything that you weren’t happy with, you should let us know.’

Mr Mathers shook his finger at Tony. ‘Let’s not talk of vulgarities like money and wages just now, Mr Lambrianu. And it’s “were not”, not “weren’t”. People notice these things.’ Now Mathers was correcting Tony’s speech. In an odd kind of way, Tony liked him. He came across as a little pompous and scary, but he was more like a father figure. He stood up; the meeting was over.

‘You are right, of course, Mr Mathers. Give me time and I will learn, I promise.’ Tony stood, too. He smiled at him and shook his hand. Then Sharon linked her arm through Mr Mathers’ arm and showed him out. It was all a little familiar, and he showed surprise at Sharon’s intimacy, but he smiled back at her.