"Don't I get a kiss then?" he said.

"Not in those shorts, you don't," said Beryl. "Surely you know the guy's name?"

"Porphyry," said Joe, wishing she wouldn't go on about the YFG. "I could always take them off."

"Don't even dream about it. Porphyry. Of course! I knew I'd seen him. His picture was on the front page of the Bedfordshire Bugle last week. He's just got engaged. Damn!"

"Maybe I can catch you on the rebound," said Joe. "So why's he important enough to get his picture on the front page just because he's got engaged?"

"Well, first, he's gorgeous; second, his family have been around the county for ever and a day; and third, he's got engaged to Tiff Emerson whose daddy owns nearly everything in the media that Rupert Murdoch doesn't, including the Bugle. Where you been, Joe?"

"Maybe I've got more important things than gossip columns to fill my mind."

"Such as?" she demanded, looking around the office. "So much dust on that filing cabinet, don't think it's been opened since Christmas."

"So you're a detective now," said Joe. "First thing you should learn is, the real important cases, nothing goes down on paper."

"What real important cases?" she laughed.

"Like the one I'm meeting Mr. Porphyry, Chris, to discuss over lunch tomorrow," he said triumphantly.

It worked. For a moment she looked impressed.

Then she shrugged and said, "Well, that's a pity, 'cos that's why I dropped in to see you. I've got to break our date tonight. They're short-staffed at the hospital and need me to do an extra shift. I was going to suggest that maybe if you could find time in your busy schedule we could go somewhere nice and cool for a drink and a sandwich tomorrow lunch, but seeing as how you're engaged, I'd better look elsewhere. Bye, Joe."