Bannerman watched Gryffe’s face with amusement while Henry Schumacher’s embarrassment grew more acute. ‘I think perhaps you should come and sit down, Laura-Lee,’ he said.

‘Oh nonsense, Henry. Don’t fuss. I’m sure Mr Gryffe doesn’t mind.’

‘Not at all,’ Gryffe said.

Bannerman noticed Platt watching them curiously from a leaning position against the far wall, a glass clutched tightly in his hand. It was time to put a stop to this. He turned to Mrs Schumacher. ‘I’m sorry to break things up, but I’m afraid I have to go.’ And to Slater, ‘I’ll see you later.’ Pause. ‘Goodnight.’ He turned abruptly and made his way towards the door.

‘Well, that’s a shame,’ Laura-Lee said. ‘Such a nice young man. You’d never guess he was a vacuum cleaner salesman.’

‘A what?’ Gryffe asked, puzzled for the second time.

‘A salesman. Of vacuum cleaners. What was the name of his firm, Henry?’

‘The Quick-Clean Vacuum and Brush Company, I think, Laura-Lee.’

Gryffe smiled with genuine amusement. ‘I think our Mr Bannerman has been pulling your leg, Mrs Schumacher.’

‘Oh?’ Laura-Lee glared at him. ‘Who does he work for then?’

‘He’s the investigative reporter of the Edinburgh Post. A man with quite a reputation.’

Mrs Schumacher let go of Gryffe’s arm and he took a relieved step back. ‘You hear that, Henry?’ She turned towards her husband. ‘A reporter. Why on earth would he tell us he sold vacuum cleaners?’ Henry Schumacher’s face echoed Gryffe’s bewilderment of a few moments earlier.

*