All I can muster is, ‘It was a privilege meeting him.’ Streatham slaps me on the back and leaves me to make my own way out.

What on earth was that all about? I don’t believe Breitner wanted my expert insight into the election. I didn’t tell him anything he couldn’t have read in one of my columns in the FC. He wants my measure.

I am feeling shaky. I need to call Jess and talk it through. I turn left down the narrow lane and on to the main road. Just as I’m about to take out my phone, I see Robin Muller across the street, walking in half circles as he barks animatedly into his mobile. I won’t let him get away this time. I run towards him, almost getting hit by a black cab, and catch his eye. He frowns in not-very-well-disguised dismay, and mouths, ‘Two minutes.’ In fact, he takes ten, but I’m still there when he finishes.

‘How did you get on with Jimmy?’ he asks.

‘Like being in a shark tank, wearing a suit made of raw meat.’

He laughs. ‘How funny to see you like this, after all these years. Bit different from college.’ On the drugs relay.

‘At least then we were dealing with people we could trust.’

‘So true.’ He puts a hand on my arm. ‘I heard about your sis. I hope you’re OK.’

‘Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.’ Out here on the street, I know I can’t keep him long. I have to dive in. ‘Clare had been working on a plan to tax the dividends going to pension funds. You were spotted in the Treasury meeting the Chancellor, and straight afterwards the Chancellor dropped the policy. Clare went ballistic, shouted at Kendall in front of his entire office.’

‘Your sister came to see you a couple of times at Chicheley as I recall. I remember she seemed pretty determined. But on your precise question – you know I don’t work on the asset management side of the house? Pensions are not my bag.’

‘Don’t be coy, Robin. You know what I do for a living. Your corporate clients all have a strong interest in whether the income going into their pension funds is taxed or not. The tax on the funds is an indirect cost to them. And sometimes a direct cost, if it forces them to increase their contributions to the funds.’ I remember Breitner’s unprompted protestation. ‘There may be businesses ruined by the tax change.’

Muller looks past me, scanning the passing cars, and doesn’t take the bait. I won’t be distracted.