Murphy slugged down a mouthful of whisky and offered the bottle to Kingston. Kingston filled his glass.

‘She’s got plenty of spunk, that’s for sure.’

‘It’s not funny, Stewart. I’ll admit she’s better than I ever imagined she’d be and as tenacious as hell, but she acts on impulse without thinking about the consequences.’

‘Tell me about it . . . But letting her go to the wedding might not actually be a bad idea.’

‘Whose side are you on?’ Murphy scowled.

‘Yours, of course, Guv. But don’t go cutting off your nose to spite your face. Pulling her out of the cafe is going to look suspicious if the Ripleys turn up again and find she’s not there.’

Murphy had to admit he was right.

‘For fuck’s sake, get Cam to ring her and tell her to get her pinny out again.’

*

Jane decided on a pastel and floral midi-dress, which had a pleated skirt and loosely nipped-in waist. She chose a chunky brown belt to go with it, and a blue jacket as there was a slight nip in the air. She knew if she’d managed to tell Murphy about the drink with Carl he’d have said no to that too, but Murphy hadn’t given her the chance. She was on thin ice, but her anger had made her reckless.

*

Leicester Square was busy, with a crowd of people outside the Empire Ballroom watching some street entertainers doing a juggling act. She looked at her watch: it was nearly 7.45 p.m. and she wondered if Carl wasn’t going to show up, then about fifty metres away she saw him jogging towards her. He was smartly dressed in a blue blazer, white open-neck shirt, black trousers and black ankle boots.

‘I’m really sorry, I had to get a bus, and then it got stuck in traffic.’

He was out of breath and Jane could see a few drops of perspiration on his forehead.

‘It’s all right, I’ve only just got here myself.’

‘You look lovely,’ he said with a nervous smile.

‘Thank you, and you look very smart too.’

‘Would you like to go for a drink or something to eat?’

‘I’m quite hungry as it happens.’

‘Anything you especially like?’

‘I love Chinese.’

‘Well, we’re spoilt for choice with Chinatown around the corner.’

‘Let’s go then,’ she said, slipping her arm into his.

‘Did you have a busy day at work?’ she asked as they walked up Wardour Street.

‘Same as usual, really: running errands for my stepfather George, picking up car parts and working in the garage.’

‘Are you a mechanic, then?’

‘Yeah.’

‘How long have you been doing that?’