‘Kate!’ Imogen boomed. She strode over to offer a more effusive kiss. Imogen generally strode everywhere. ‘How nice to see you. It’s going well! We have the numbers for the no-confidence vote. We’ve just given the story to the morning papers. And we’re pretty sure he’s going to lose it.’

Kate was tempted to say that she who wields the sword rarely wears the crown but managed to hold her tongue. ‘Do you have a few minutes?’

‘Of course! For you, always.’ Imogen led her through to the adjoining sitting room and closed the sliding double doors. She moved to the curtains and tugged them shut also. ‘We’ve had a couple of reporters here this evening,’ she said, sounding frankly thrilled to be so much the centre of the attention. ‘Drink?’

‘No, I’d better not.’ Kate thought of how much she had overdone it last night in Prague, the after-effects of which were still with her.

‘What’s up?’ Imogen asked, dropping down into the sofa. She was wearing a cream skirt, which served to highlight her long, tanned legs. She looked ravishing, on any analysis, and Kate felt a sting of fury at the way in which Stuart had succumbed to her.

‘I’ve considered what you said.’

‘About what?’ Imogen asked.

‘You requested my help. I’m happy to do what I can, but I need something in return.’

Imogen raised her eyebrows. ‘Wow, trading. That isn’t like you. Have you been spending too much time around politicians?’

‘Possibly.’

‘What is it you want?’

Kate fidgeted. Imogen swigged from the large glass of white wine she had brought with her. ‘You sure I can’t get you something?’

‘No,’ Kate said. ‘I’ve just been away for a few days. I really need to go home. I wondered if I could get access to your office tomorrow morning and all the files that are connected to it. I’d probably need to bring someone with me.’

Imogen looked puzzled. ‘I’m sure the answer is yes.’ She raised her hands. ‘I have nothing to hide. But why?’

Kate hadn’t given enough thought as to how to frame this. But the only way to engage Imogen was to suggest it would further her own ambition. ‘If we’re to bring down the prime minister once and for all, I need more evidence. And I think I might find it through the files I can only access in your office.’

‘From his time as foreign secretary, you mean?’

‘Yes.’

‘Deal!’ Imogen leapt up again, as if, business done, she was anxious to get back to counting the number of her supporters. Kate waited until she was at the door before she asked her final question. ‘Have you seen Ian recently?’

‘No,’ Imogen said, without looking round. ‘Why?’

‘I’m just trying to work out which side he’s on in all this.’

‘Professionally neutral, he says. Repeatedly.’ Imogen hesitated before opening the double doors again. ‘I think it’s probably best to avoid any gossip about what you might be doing there. Could we do this early tomorrow morning?’