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‘I’m sorry, Mamma But I can’t turn the clock back It’ll all blow over and then it’ll be some other poor sod’s turn to be vilified’

The wo up to put linens in the cupboard Her ar-ste in a dark ponytail down her back, shiny and thick and long She turned to glance at him, her dark eyes coy and unsure He knew that look He knehere it could go

‘Hang on’ He walked to the bedroom at the other end of the cabin and closed the door ‘Have you heard from David? He’s not here and some woman is in his place It’s totally out of character for hiency staff like this’

‘Ah, I think youabout Ruby What do you think? Isn’t she lovely?’

His mother had that excited tone in her voice that made him instantly aware

‘That’s not in dispute,’ he said ‘But I was hoping David would be looking after things foron?’

‘Don’t get upset, Matty I’ ith the new advertising agency No one knows our business better than him’

‘You’ve pulled rank and left me with a newbie?’

‘Ihim, ‘and I was very i fine And you’ll have David back on Monday’

Hisback He was sure of it

‘You know she’s dressed in a cocktail dress? A very nice cocktail dress, but it’s not exactly ear Is there sootten to tell me?’

Like last month, when she’d only remembered to tell him he had to make an after-dinner speech at the International Women in Finance dinner an hour before the canapés were served Or the tiarten they sponsored on the way ho to be a bit of a habit, her asking him these last-minute ‘favours’ now that she was neck-deep in charity work

‘Ah Now you mention it’