Cavalier stayed the night and Catherine prepared a breakfast of vegetable omelette, juice, toast and coffee and served it in the front room of the apartment. It was Saturday morning. They were both in robes. The King’s Road below was abuzz with activity at the farmers’ market opposite them and with weekend shoppers. A steady clip-clop of shoes on the thick glass pavement reverberated up from the street.

‘I cook for a man if I like him, dollink.’

‘That’s what all the Russian girls say, dollink!’

Catherine laughed.

‘Why do you mimic my accent, dollink?’

‘Most journalists are mimics, admittedly third rate,’ Cavalier said. Catherine cocked her head slightly as she sat with him and ate.

‘You know,’ she said, ‘you appear very like that old British actor.’

‘Michael Caine perhaps?’

‘I don’t know his name, but he is the butler in the Batman movies.’

‘Michael Caine,’ Cavalier said with a rueful nod.

They chatted as they ate. When they had finished the food, Cavalier stood, went to the window and sipped his coffee.

‘How long have you known Natalia?’ he asked.

‘A year or so.’

‘Are you best friends?’

‘We get on very well. Her best friend is Lord North’s partner.’

‘You were never upset when she took up with Al?’

‘Not too much. I came to know and like her. She is a wonderful woman with a generous soul.’

‘What made you come to London?’

‘Natalia suggested it.’

‘So you knew her before you were engaged to Al?’

Catherine evaded the question. ‘She helped me obtain a visa. There is work for me here.’

‘This is an upmarket spot in Chelsea. What do you do?’

‘I’m an escort.’

‘Oh?’

‘What we did in bed would normally cost you. But because you gave me the handbag …’

‘A freebie?’

‘Dollink, I must pay the rent, send money to my parents.’ She put a disc in a CD player. Adele sang ‘Skyfall’. Catherine hummed along.

She sauntered over to him, put her hand under his robe and kissed him. ‘Besides, I do like you.’

Catherine threw back her blonde hair and laughed. They embraced. Soon they were indulging in more lovemaking on a sofa. Just as they finished, two fire engines rattled out of the station across the road, sirens blaring.

‘Wonder where the fire is, dollink.’

‘Silly to use two trucks when they can walk across the road and hose us down,’ he said.

‘You!’ she said with a grin.

Catherine made fresh coffee. They sat on the sofa in silence for a few minutes before he asked, ‘Is Natalia in love with Al?’

‘You’d have to ask her. Why do you ask, dollink?’

‘Just wondered. He is a bit older.’

‘Yes, remember, he is rich, dollink. Very rich.’

‘Hmm,’ Cavalier muttered.

‘There is more to it,’ Catherine said, ‘a mix of business and pleasure.’

‘How so? She told Al she wanted to marry the smartest man in the world.’