Elizabeth lined everything up and pressed the red button to check it was working. She sat on the bed and rolled around to make sure the whole of the bed was in shot and then returned to the device, pressing the yellow button to switch it off. Then, lifting it up, she turned it over and slid what looked like a battery cover off, which was in fact a tiny screen where she could replay the recording. Yes, it was working, and in fact it not only got the bed in shot, but most of the room to either side as well. She was very happy with her purchase. She replaced it on the writing desk and smoothed out the bed. Oh, she was enjoying herself.

Several minutes later Elizabeth settled herself down in the window of a small café, from where she had a good view of the main street. The hotel where she had set up the supposed meeting with Owen was almost opposite. Taking out a newspaper and ordering a sandwich and a coffee, she pretended to read while keeping an eye on the hotel. Soon after, Camilla came and joined her at the table.

‘I’m glad you turned up,’ said Elizabeth.

‘Why wouldn’t I? It’s a job. We had an agreement,’ said Camilla simply. ‘And besides, I want to stitch that mean bastard up nearly as much as you do.’

Camilla was wearing a jersey wrap-over dress which revealed quite a lot of cleavage and clung seductively to her hips. A pair of high-heeled natural-toned shoes added at least another four inches to her height, and her blonde hair had been curled into big waves which she had scooped to one side of her neck, trailing over her shoulder. Her make-up was light apart from her lipstick, which was pillar-box red, accentuating her full lips. She looked sophisticated and extremely sexy.

‘Owen is going to love you,’ said Elizabeth.

‘Let’s hope so. Have you got the room key?’

Elizabeth slid the key card across the table. ‘Room 54 on the first floor. It overlooks the street, just up there. Second window from the left.’ She pointed to the building opposite. ‘When you’re in the room, close the curtains and I’ll know everything is going to plan.’

‘I’ll ring you once the deed has been done. Don’t worry if I take a little longer than expected. I might actually enjoy this one.’

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at her partner in crime. ‘It’s up to you, but I’m paying a flat rate, not by the minute.’

Camilla laughed. ‘I’ll bear that in mind.’

‘Oh, look, there he is,’ said Elizabeth. Both women looked across the road as Owen Sinclair walked along the pavement and entered the hotel.

Camilla gathered up the key card and her handbag. ‘Right, I’d better get to work.’