‘What are you doing in today? I thought we’d decided on Wednesdays and Thursdays.’ ‘We did. I’m not here to work. I’m here to pick your brains.’ ‘Oh,’ he smiled, looking rather flattered. He took off his glasses and put them in his top pocket. ‘Congratulations on your Chronicle piece, by the way. I trust you received my message? Both Christine and I were most impressed.’ ‘Yes, thanks,’ she said, cutting him off. ‘Actually, Stephen, I think you might be able to help me get a follow-up story. Paul Robinson, the Chronicle editor, asked personally for us to get involved.’ She watched as a proud smile spread across his face. She knew from experience that the only way to get her boss to do anything was to flatter him into it; clearly the possibility of a personal link to a high-profile media figure like Paul Robinson was exactly what he wanted to hear. ‘You’re going to write more for the Chronicle?’ Abby had to suppress a smile. There was nothing like looking popular to make others see the error of their ways.
