Donna was amazed to find he had put the phone down on her. Wrapping the thick pink towel tightly around her, she sat on the bed in a daze.

Whatever was wrong with Stephen couldn’t simply be the fact that she wanted to see his books. She asked herself now why she was so adamant about seeing them. It didn’t really matter either way. But as she sat there, Donna realised exactly what was wrong with her, what had been wrong with her for a good while. She didn’t trust Stephen Brunos.

It was a startling revelation.

Hattie had listened patiently to Stephen’s ranting and now she shook her head sadly.

‘She’ll find out soon enough, and then it’ll be the worse for you and everyone concerned.’

Stephen forced a smile on to his face.

‘Nah, she won’t. None of them will. I’m too clever by half.’ He grinned to lighten the mood, but Hattie just shook her head once more.

‘No one’s that clever, and you’re playing with fire, my lad. You can’t run with the fox and hunt with the hounds. No one can.’

He stood up impatiently and kissed Hattie on the top of her head.

‘Stop worrying, Hat, I’m as safe as houses.’

Hattie sipped at her vodka and tonic. He was too handsome by half. All her life she had been a sucker for a pretty young man and she realised now that, even going into old age, she wasn’t going to change.

‘Does she know everything about Talkto Enterprises?’

‘No, she doesn’t, and there’s no reason why she should. Now I’ve got to go, Hats. I’ll pop in later tonight if you’re not too busy?’

Hattie couldn’t refuse him.

‘I’m never too busy for you.’

Smiling widely, he left and Hattie stood where she was in the centre of the room, brooding. He was playing a dangerous game. She only hoped it didn’t backfire on him.

Donna walked into the Talkto offices at nine o’clock as arranged and was surprised to see no sign of Stephen, only a young woman in a tight black cocktail dress waiting for her.

‘Mrs Brunos?’

Donna nodded, smiling.

‘I’m Cathy Harper. Mr Brunos asked me to let you in. The books are here on this desk. Can I get you a cup of coffee?’

Donna nodded at the earnest young girl in front of her. Cathy was plastered in make-up, taking the edge away from her natural fresh-faced good looks. Her plump young body encased in a black beaded dress gave her an air of tartiness, and Donna wrinkled her nose at the overwhelming smell of Charlie perfume and fresh sweat.