‘I am looking younger already,’ he said complacently, recovering his sangfroid. ‘Soon you will grow accustomed – now you are jealous that younger women will find me irresistible!’

And I said no I wasn’t and no they wouldn’t, though actually he always had been pretty irresistible to everybody. It was just the way he was. Why did I have to go and fall for a handsome, tricky, devious, secretive man again? Wasn’t marrying one enough for me?

‘And that foundation you’re wearing is entirely the wrong colour,’ I added rather pettishly, and turned back to the infinitely more natural and Heathcliffian features of Nathan.

He was just telling Linny that he would look at her most recent book, but he couldn’t promise anything, when I caught his eye and asked if he fancied having me as well.

He went a bit pink under his tan and said he thought I was already with someone, glancing at Sergei, who was glowering into his champagne. And you can only sustain just so much of this innuendo in the presence of a jealous lover, so I said not at all, actually I was parting company with my present agent, Miracle Threaple, and desperately needed another. He said he knew Miracle, and if I was serious why didn’t we get together on Wednesday and talk it over? He gave me his card.

He was clearly uncertain about the situation between Sergei and me, and so was I, come to that, but I didn’t see why I shouldn’t have my cake and eat it, because Sergei did, after all. Although now I had met Tube Man I was feeling terribly ambivalent because, like dieting, sometimes it’s enough just to look at the cake; you don’t have to eat it, and if you do you know the pleasure will be momentary and the pain horrendous.

It was all a bit tricky, and so I wasn’t that upset when Linny dragged me away early, saying we were going on somewhere, which we were: we went on to the nearest all-night chemist by taxi.

And my God, she was going to have a tiny Tertius!

Fifteen

Past Notes

NOVELTINA LITERARY AND CRITICAL AGENCY

Mudlark Cottage, The Harbour, Shrimphaven

Dear Ms Pucklington,

Or Elvira, as you have so kindly asked me to call you.

I am absolutely delighted to hear of the instant acceptance of Beyond Rubber by Red Hot Candy Press, a well-deserved success, and am deeply touched by your intention of dedicating the book to me. I certainly look forward to that signed copy you have kindly offered to send me as soon as it is in print!

This is surely the start of a long and happy career and I will observe your progress with interest.

With many congratulations,

Tina Devino