Or was it? This could be his last chance to make a fresh start. He took a deep breath, but before he could speak a voice from the doorway sealed his fate.

‘Jack, my dear fellow, how good to see you!’

It was Cedric Tandy, advancing on him, smiling, playing his allotted part.

He made some reply. He had no idea what it was. Inwardly he was cursing.

‘I see you’ve met Olympia,’ Cedric burbled on, oblivious to the wreckage he was causing. ‘That’s good-excellent.’

‘Oh, yes, we’ve met,’ Olympia said with glassy-eyed courtesy. ‘But we were still sorting out who’s who.’

‘I hadn’t explained who I am and where I come from,’ Primo said, giving Cedric a glance fierce enough to silence him. ‘It’s a bit difficult to-you might call me a sort of ambassador, an outrider, sent to prepare the land before the big guns arrive.’

‘And was coming to my office a part of preparing the land?’ Olympia asked with deadly brightness.

‘Your name has been mentioned as one of the assets of the firm,’ he said. ‘Now we’ve talked I can see I’m going to rely on you for a lot of information. Perhaps the three of us can have lunch together, and exchange views.’

‘Wonderful idea!’ Cedric exclaimed.

‘You’re very kind,’ Olympia said coolly, ‘but I’m afraid my lunch will be an apple at my desk. I’ve got a new secretary starting today, and I have to work with her.’

Cedric, aghast at this cavalier treatment of a man who came from the seat of power, began to mutter urgently, ‘Olympia, I really think-’

‘Naturally I respect your decision,’ Primo interposed smoothly. ‘Some other time. Cedric, why don’t we go somewhere and talk?’

The two of them departed, leaving Olympia to reflect that she’d made a mess of everything, and it was all his fault.

She wanted to bang her head against the wall.

Or his.

Before leaving, Olympia looked in on Cedric, who informed her cheerfully that the newcomer had left an hour ago.