So much for grinding the bastards down. ‘I only fainted. I don’t need an ambulance,’ I bleat.

‘You need checking on. We can’t be sure why you fainted,’ Julie says.

I sit up. ‘It’s nothing to worry about. It used to happen to me all the time when I was a child.’ I pause. ‘Cancel it please,’ I hiss.

Julie and Ted exchange glances. Ted shrugs. ‘OK then. If you insist.’

He steps away from us and begins to tap on his mobile.

‘Where are the inspectors?’ I ask.

‘They’ve gone.’

‘Did you get any information out of them?’

Julie’s eyes darken. ‘Tony Waterford said he was concerned about how little capital we have. He says we aren’t going to survive much longer unless we get a huge cash injection. He’s obviously wondering whether that was the reason for delaying the release of the client’s funds.’

My heart races. ‘Did he say that?’

‘Not exactly, but he implied it.’

‘When will we hear?’

‘He said investigations don’t run to a timetable. They just take as long as they take.’

Blood rushes from my head. If I stand up, I fear I will faint again.

125

Aiden

Oh, Saffron, I trust Hayley’s judgement. Deep inside, I have known for years that you have a secret yearning for me. We have always been friends, haven’t we? From the first time you came to our house for lunch and Mum kept calling you Julie. You find me far more attractive than you admit. Sometimes desire can be buried very deep. It isn’t surprising really. After all, I have a much bolder personality than Miles. He was a stooge to our parents. You are an exceptionally bright woman, and I am an independent-thinking man.

Miles only managed to get into Cambridge because he was a rote learning swot, studying every hour that God sent. He didn’t have raw ability. His academic achievements involved studying day and night. Whereas it takes a special type of native ability to build up your own business. You need a naturally enquiring mind, and an empathy with people, to do that.

Saffron, if you leave Miles and come and live with me, you will never want for anything. I will always be able to look after you financially. Soon I’m adding an enormous Sunseeker motorboat to my portfolio. Gone will be the days when you have to cosy up to obnoxious clients to be on a floating palace. With me, it would be yours.

I’m at your house, waiting for you. It’s 7 p.m. You’re half an hour late. You are usually home early on Friday. I can’t contain myself any longer. I dial your mobile and you pick up.

‘Saffron Jackson here. How can I help?’