‘Mum, the profanity that falls out of your mouth would make any self-respecting twenty-four-year-old like me blush, and you know it. Don’t change the subject,’ he said. But already he was defeated by her charm. He trusted her as a mother, but not as the captain of this particular ship that his father had left in his care. As soon as the will was read, she’d know, and he could get on with his life. Being in the same room as her simply made him feel better because it was the only security he’d ever known. But soon he’d be on his own, as his father had intended. However she explained herself, he knew he’d accept it. He just wanted to hear it. He went to the bed and sat as he was bid.

‘How is Quentin?’ she asked.

He laughed. ‘Mum, you’re up to something and I want to know what it is. I’m absolutely gobsmacked that you would let such a respected newspaper trash Dad like that.’

‘They’re not trashing Dad, they’re trashing Tactika, which is completely different. It’s diversionary.’

‘Diversionary?’ he asked.

She held out her hand and took his. Her palms were warm and for a moment he felt relief. The strain of taking on his father’s empire in its entirety, as his sole heir, weighed heavy on his shoulders, like a great burden. His mother had the skill to alleviate it, so he wanted to listen. That was why he’d come in here; to get some reassurance. Panic had engulfed him and he, as was his character, had allowed it to take over, and he’d spiralled down a negative-thinking hellhole. He listened.

‘You are Tactika now. And I believe in you, my love,’ she soothed. ‘Dad’s will is to be read first thing in the morning. The lawyers are coming here. They’ll take their cut of course, as they have to, just for turning up, the blood-sucking bastards. However, when all’s said and done, everything is ours and you have a lot to learn. In time, I will hand the reins to you. Your father’s death will be overshadowed by other distractions in the media, I promise you that; it’s already begun, so we have two choices. We can ignore it and allow it to rocket out of control. Or, we can manipulate it and try to lessen the damage.’