I haven’t read anything in the financial pages about Copper Beech yet, but when I made discreet enquiries with a journalist friend who works at the Financial Times after the Porters pulled out of the house sale, he confirmed the company’s definitely in trouble. Oddly enough, Felix Porter seems to come out of it surprisingly well. The firm’s board of directors has been sailing close to the wind for a while now, but Felix has apparently been holding their feet to the fire, trying to get them to clean up their act before the FSA is forced to intervene. I know Millie thinks he’s the devil incarnate, but he may be in the clear on this one.

‘You can probably guess why I wanted to see you,’ I tell Felix. ‘I know you’ve got a lot on your plate, and I’m not trying to add to the pressure. But if there’s any way we can get the sale back on track—’

‘You’re wasting your time.’

‘Hold on a minute and hear me out,’ I say, holding up my hand. ‘I’m not going to pretend to know your business, but I’ve done a bit of research and if all that’s really holding you up is concern over your vulnerability to asset seizure, I think we can find a way round it. And,’ I add, sitting back as I deliver the pièce de résistance, ‘we’re prepared to up our offer by a hundred-K.’

It’s going to hurt us financially, there’s no two ways about it. But I reckon we can swing it if I take a couple of IT jobs working for a space cadet whose calls I haven’t been returning.

I love my wife. I don’t care one way or the other about the Glass House, and I don’t particularly want to encourage Millie’s friendship with Stacey Porter. But if it’s in my power to give her what she wants, I’ll do whatever I can to make it happen.

‘I told you,’ Felix says. ‘You’re wasting your time.’

‘Come on, mate. It’s a good deal. Another hundred thousand—’

He pushes back his chair. ‘You’re talking to the wrong person.’

‘What’s the problem?’ I demand, irritated now. ‘Why are you so wedded to that house? Your wife wants to sell, my wife wants to buy. You know what they say: happy wife, happy life. I’m sure we can—’

He cuts me off. Again.

‘I told your wife,’ he snaps. ‘I’ve warned her to stay away from Stacey more than once. If you really want to look out for her, tell her to listen to me.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

Felix gets to his feet. ‘I’m not the one who pulled out of the sale,’ he says.

chapter 25

millie