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director, who I presume would be part of your team. A reflection of the investment you are making. But . . .’ her green eyes flashed briefly in Bianca’s direction ‘. . . how can that apply to – to her ?’
    If Bianca had never been so utterly disparaged in her entire professional life, no one observing her would have suspected it. She leaned forward, smiled briefly at Athina, and said, her voice sweetly earnest, ‘Lady Farrell, if we can reach a position today where I am to be appointed the chief executive of this company, my investment in it will be one hundred per cent, in terms of time, commitment, passion, and every skill I possess. My reputation will be on the line every bit as much as Farrell’s own. I believe in the company absolutely and I know it has a future, or I wouldn’t be here, I do assure you. I think that together we can take it forward and make it very successful once more. But – it has to be together. I need your commitment to me as much as you need mine to you. So – I need to be a part of the company, not just an employee. Does that help at all?’
    There was a short, intense silence, then,
    ‘Very well,’ Lady Farrell said, ‘we will agree to that. Providing the rest of what you offer is satisfactory, of course.’
    Mike nodded. ‘Let’s hope it is. In return we will put the money in by way of a loan note, and shares, and if the company underperforms the loan note gets repaid first and the remaining value is for the shareholders. We would charge interest on that loan note, at fifteen per cent, but it means you keep your share and if you believe in the House of Farrell and its ability to survive, you will be prepared to take that risk. Release a bigger share, and you get a lower loan rate. Simple as that.’
    There was a silence.
    ‘Clearly,’ Athina said finally, ‘we must discuss it further, particularly with our lawyers, but I think perhaps we have something to build on. Meanwhile it’s late and we’re all tired. We will get back to you on Monday. Thank you. I will have your coats brought in.’
    And she rose and swept out, followed by her entourage, Walter Pemberton smiling graciously at Mike as they passed.
    ‘Well done everyone,’ said Mike with a weary grin as the door closed behind them. ‘Nearly there. I was a little nervous that their lawyers might put a spanner in the works at the last minute.’
    ‘I don’t think Pemberton and Rushworth know about anything as useful as spanners,’ said Hugh.
    ‘It’s a very clever deal,’ said Bianca. ‘Well done us.’
    ‘I think so too,’ said Mike modestly.
    ‘And we gained some very good ground. That salary thing, they swallowed that.’
    ‘Yes, I thought the lawyers might spot the flaw there, but—’
    ‘Nah,’ said Hugh, ‘too busy admiring their own negotiating skills.’
    ‘Fascinating, isn’t it,’ said Bianca, ‘how vanity obscures common sense? They have no idea even now what a mess they’re in. Just so busy hanging on to the past and its successes. The only one who seemed to have the slightest grasp of reality was Bertie. Funny, he seemed such an idiot at first.’

Chapter 3
     
    Bianca burst into noisy tears.
    This always happened. Patrick smiled at her tenderly, pushed her tangled hair back, and held her close. Soon she would stop and move into the absolute calm and sweetness that sex led her to, hunger satisfied, desire stilled, pleasure absolutely achieved.
    She felt it now, the calm, reached for it, settled into it with a soft, appreciative sigh.
    ‘Thank you,’ she said as she always did. And, ‘My pleasure,’ he said as he always did.
    She was quiet for a while, enjoying the warmth, the smell, the feel of him, contemplating what they had just shared and discovered and achieved. It surprised her, every time, the height, the intensity of it; that after so many years and such complete familiarity and knowledge of one another, it should be so fierce and so different. It was a source of