Andy walked her home. They kissed on the doorstep, and Christine invited him in, and repeated the mistake that she had sworn a thousand times never to make again. The minute she was in his arms, she felt safe. The world – the gossip – Rivelli – could no longer harm her.

Will’s phone was switched off. Unlike some people he knew, he did not like it to ring or beep in the middle of sex. It was enough that one person wanted him; he didn’t need to show how popular he was. And at the moment, all that mattered was that Joel wanted him. Will usually avoided so-called straight men – but this one was different. As conversions went, Joel was right up there with Saul on the road to Damascus.

They had sex when they got home, and again in the middle of the night, when Will awoke to find Joel climbing on. They did it again in the shower, and it was only when breakfast was finished and they were on the second cup of coffee that Will switched his phone on. There were several voice messages and texts, nearly all of them from Isabelle.

‘Shit.’

‘What’s the matter, mate?’ asked Joel, massaging Will’s shoulders, pressing himself into his back.

‘Business crap. You don’t want to know.’

‘Try me. I might be able to help.’

‘Isabelle’s freaking out about our manufacturer.’

Joel hadn’t felt the need to mention his connection with Isabelle or her mother; he’d cross that bridge if he ever came to it. For now, the secret amused him, gave him a feeling of power. ‘Why? What’s he doing?’

‘Usual thing. Not paying up.’

‘Who is he?’

‘Rivelli.’

‘Yeah,’ said Joel, who had also failed to mention Victoria Crabtree, ‘I’ve heard of him.’

‘So you should have. He’s the biggest name in the business. He also turns out to be the biggest bastard.’

‘Is he good looking?’ Joel was nibbling Will’s neck.

‘In a daddyish sort of way, I suppose.’

‘Perhaps we could persuade him to . . . play ball.’

‘God, Joel, you’re insatiable.’

‘Why not? Call him up. Give it a go.’

‘Thanks, but no thanks. Things are quite complicated enough in that department as it is.’

‘Wouldn’t you like to get me in a sandwich?’

‘God,’ said Will, turning his phone off again, ‘you straight men are so promiscuous.’

As they made love on the kitchen table, both men were thinking, for very different reasons, about Massimo Rivelli.

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Seven months is a long time in fashion.