Sandra shook her head. ‘Eddie and Richie don’t seem to be getting on at all. They rub each other up the wrong way. Richie just wants a quiet life, but Eddie seems to want to cause World War Three every time he comes through the door. You’re so lucky Jake has his head screwed on.’

‘Jake has just found something he likes to do. I’m sure Eddie will soon, and then he’s bound to settle down a bit.’

‘I’m sure you’re right,’ she sighed. ‘I’m just afraid of what he will discover he likes doing!’

Jake and Eddie had met a few times when they were younger, but they didn’t get on at all; they were as different as day and night. Sandra and Grace, on the other hand, had a lot in common and were good friends.

They made small talk and caught up on what had been going on in each other’s lives, but Grace knew there was something else on Sandra’s mind. There was a nervousness about her; she fidgeted more than usual and constantly looked at the door.

‘Have you seen him then?’ she asked Grace eventually.

Grace nodded in response. She’d seen him almost every bloody day for the past six weeks. It was maddening, never knowing when he was going to turn up. No doubt it was part of his ploy to remind her exactly who was boss. He had no bloody idea! It would be funny if it wasn’t so annoying.

‘How did it go?’ Sandra asked.

‘Fine,’ she replied nonchalantly. ‘He’s got a new girlfriend now. She seems nice.’ Grace knew Sandra wouldn’t ask her what she really wanted to know, so she told her. ‘Don’t worry, Sandra. I would never tell him about you and Eddie. He doesn’t know. I swear.’

Sandra blushed. ‘I know you wouldn’t tell him. Thanks, Grace, it’s just that he terrifies me.’

Grace smiled at her. ‘Well I know that feeling,’ and they both laughed.

After they ordered their meal from the waiter, Sandra slipped a small envelope across the table to Grace. ‘Here’s that information you asked for,’ she said quietly.

Placing the envelope in her handbag, Grace smiled at her companion. ‘Thanks, Sandra. I really appreciate it.’

‘Any time, Grace. I’m glad I can help.’

‘I wish you’d let me pay you for your trouble.’

‘It’s no trouble, honestly. I’m happy to help you out. I told you, no one questions anything I do. I’ve been there longer than everyone else so I’m pretty much given free rein. And our IT systems are so antiquated there’s no way to tell what information is accessed.’

‘Well at least let me treat you to dinner,’ Grace said.

‘Deal,’ Sandra smiled.