In the reception area, Mr Mathers opened a huge black book that was on a table stand.

‘This is the list of the members that have re-joined, plus some new ones they have recommended us to.’

Tony looked down at the list of names. He couldn’t believe it; the list was long, and some of the names on it were famous celebrities, MPs and very respectable stockbrokers.

‘There is a list, here, of reserves. These are the people that wish to join us, when we have the capacity.’

Tony looked up at Mr Mathers, who seemed very pleased with himself, although he didn’t crack a smile. Tony had known this man would be worth his weight in gold. He had already done his job, and done it very well indeed, contacting all these men personally. Looking back at the list of members, he saw Ralph Gold’s name.

‘Do you know Ralph Gold?’ He looked at Mr Mathers and waited. Now he was curious. He had wanted a meeting with Ralph Gold to discuss business, but Ralph had been aloof, and never available.

‘I do, a very nice gentleman indeed.’ With that, Mr Mathers closed the book. He gave no more information about Ralph Gold. Tony might have been the boss but Mr Mathers was in charge; he felt this man enjoyed pulling him down a peg or two.

‘That lounge, over there’ – Mr Mathers pointed to a closed door at the bottom of the corridor – ‘is Ashley’s domain. I believe Mrs Sinclair has been dealing with him.’

Ashley! Christ, Tony had almost forgotten why he was there.

‘Is Ashley here?’ Tony said, as naturally as possible. ‘Maybe it’s time I met him.’

Jake had obviously heard the name, and he came out of the lounge and into the hallway. He looked at Tony, stuck out his chin and pouted.

Mr Mathers walked towards the closed door and knocked. ‘I’ll leave you to it, Mr Lambrianu. By the way, you do not have to call me “Mr Mathers”. “Mathers” will do; all my gentlemen call me “Mathers”.’

Tony sighed again and looked at Jake. Of course, he was the butler, they were all called by their last names, and there was no ‘mister’ attached to it. He gave Mathers a nod and a smile.

Sharon came down the corridor and stood with them. Mathers walked away, having informed them he would be upstairs, checking the housekeeper had everything in order.

‘Don’t worry, you two, he never comes into this den of iniquity.’ Sharon laughed at them both and opened the door. What a difference they saw. It looked like a small nightclub. In one corner of the dimly-lit room was a triangular stage, with a silver tasselled curtain behind it. There were stage lights, and tables and chairs, and in the very far corner was a small bar.

A handsome young man emerged from behind the bar and walked towards them. He had a full head of black hair, cut and layered to perfection. He looked to be in his late twenties, and stood six feet tall. His white shirt seemed to glow in the fluorescent lighting, making it appear even whiter than it was. He made a beeline for Sharon, his smile displaying a perfect line of white, bleached teeth, his eyes topped by well-defined, expertly waxed and shaped eyebrows, his arms open to embrace her. Tony and Jake looked at this very handsome young man, then at each other.