‘This feels so odd,’ I said, as we sat down, drawing a number of confused glances and smirks from those nearby. ‘It’s like we’re in the royal box – or the disabled section. I feel like a fraud.’

‘What time do they start?’ asked Giles, clearly way more at ease with privilege than I was.

‘I’m not sure,’ I replied. ‘How about I check my fake tickets?’

‘Excellent idea.’

I reached into my bag and took out a ticket. ‘Seven thirty,’ I said, handing it to Giles. ‘Do you think your friends will be able to find us?’ I swivelled in my chair, scanning the increasingly crowded room. ‘We’re very low level.’

‘Don’t worry, I’ve texted them,’ he said. ‘They’ll find us.’

‘Great. Joe and Florence are both historians, aren’t they?’

‘No,’ he shook his head. ‘Or rather, yes, they are, but they couldn’t make it this evening.’

‘Oh,’ I said, still looking round. ‘I clearly haven’t been paying attention.’

‘My fault. I didn’t update you.’

Something in his voice made me stop searching the room and focus on him. ‘So who is coming?’ I asked.

He didn’t reply, but instead looked over my shoulder and pointed.

I turned and saw Kerry walking towards us and looking questioningly at Giles. When I glanced back at him, I caught him shaking his head and mouthing something at her, actions which he then hastily and unsuccessfully tried to disguise as a yawn and a stretch.

‘What’s going on, Giles?’ I asked.

‘Hello!’ beamed Kerry, on reaching us. ‘You got us a table.’ She looked around the room and then pulled out a chair and sat down. ‘You got us the only table. How the hell did you manage that?’

‘At huge expense,’ I said, rolling my eyes. ‘Giles didn’t tell me you were coming. What a nice surprise!’ I smiled and stood up. ‘Let me go and get you a drink.’

She took my arm and gently pulled me back down. ‘No, no, Ron’s getting them in.’

I turned to Giles who was now blinking anxiously. ‘Cameron’s here?’

He nodded whilst hiding most of his features behind his pint glass.

‘Oh, that’s really nice,’ I said, trying hard to mean it.

‘I know,’ said Kerry. ‘Great, isn’t it?’

There followed a slight pause, before I asked, ‘Does Cameron know that we’re here too?’ I wagged a finger back and forth between Giles and myself.

‘He will do any minute now,’ laughed Kerry. ‘So, have you heard Bill’s band before, Giles? I’ve only ever heard him play his recorder at the wine and cheeses.’