Elizabeth cocked her head to one side and smiled sweetly at her brother-in-law. ‘Having your naughty little secrets exposed.’ She was loving the look on Owen’s face.

‘I still haven’t got any idea what you’re talking about.’

Elizabeth leaned round Owen and slid the pint along the bar, leaving it between them. ‘This,’ she said simply.

Elizabeth had to give Owen his due as he made a valiant effort to act surprised and then disinterested, as if he’d never seen the pint of lager before. ‘That’s not mine,’ he said.

Elizabeth gave a patronising chuckle. ‘Oh, dear, sweet Owen. You’re a really bad liar.’ She took her phone from her pocket and called up the photos, turning the screen so Owen could see. ‘There’s one of you definitely supping that pint. And here’s another one of you in the bookmakers’. Now, I’m sure neither Natalie, your mum or either of your brothers will want to see these pictures.’

‘Are you for real?’ Owen looked incredulously at her.

‘Very real indeed.’

‘Look, it’s no secret that I have a pint now and again. Am I supposed to be worried that you’ve caught me?’ He emphasised the last two words to underline how ridiculous she was. ‘What exactly do you want, Elizabeth?’

‘No wonder Dominic despairs of you at times. Do I really have to spell it out? You change your mind about the sale of the land and I don’t send the photos. It’s quite simple.’

‘You’re serious.’ He laughed in disbelief. ‘You’re really fucking serious.’

‘Deadly.’

Owen shook his head and defiantly took a swig of his pint. ‘You’re bluffing.’

‘Try me.’

‘You really expect me to agree to the sale of the land just because you have a couple of photos of me.’

Elizabeth smiled again. ‘Yep.’

‘You’re crazy, you know that?’ said Owen. ‘And you really think I’m that worried?’

‘I know that Dominic has threatened to cut your salary if he finds out you’re drinking again.’

‘Fuck off, Elizabeth. As I said, drinking isn’t a crime. Dominic doesn’t care as long as I’m not paralytic.’

‘I still don’t think they’d be happy to see you drinking during the day, in secret, which, to all intents and purposes, is what you’re doing. And then there’s the gambling. I know Harry is concerned enough about you to agree to your salary being cut.’

‘You’re some piece of work.’

Elizabeth was just about to thank him for the compliment when before she had time to react Owen snatched the phone from her hand and dropped it into his pint glass.