‘Fresh and fashionable, sir?’
‘Exactly! I couldn’t have specified anything better if it had occurred to me to do so.’ He fiddled about, extinguishing the cigar he’d just lit and frowning. ‘Not in the habit of advising on female attire, unless it happens to be uniform which I’d consider within my province. Forgive me! In fact, I think you look just perfect. But how on earth could you get it so right? Did you know that …’ He gave her a searching look. ‘There’s no way you could possibly …’
‘Know? I know nothing yet! Are you ever going to tell me what exactly you want me to do this evening, sir? I’m really not at my best being run in blinkers.’
‘Of course. Impossible to speak earlier for very good reason. Orders! But now I think I can come clean. That’s why I asked you to get here early. And the first thing — you must call me Joe for the duration of the duty … when we are in company, of course.’
‘I’ll try to remember that, Commander.’
The telephone on the desk rang and he made a dive for it, realizing he was glad of the diversion. ‘No. I went home half an hour ago. You should do the same, Ned. Bring this to me on Monday.’ It rang again the moment he replaced the receiver. ‘Yes, but I’m engaged. Well, that’s a nuisance but it will have to wait until next week.’
He turned back to the Lily. ‘Look — as long as I’m here in my office, people will try to get hold of me.’ He unhooked the receiver from its stand and put it on the desk. ‘That’ll do for a start. But we’ll find somewhere else for your briefing. Somewhere discreet … What about the cocktail lounge in Claridges? They have a useful little alcove or two there … potted plants … That suit you?’
Lily nodded.
‘Good. Good. But before we leave — one little thing. Sit down, will you?’
Joe opened the top drawer of his desk and took out a document. Two or three sheets were paper-clipped together. He passed them across to her along with his fountain pen, uncapped and ready. Always an uncomfortable moment. You could never tell how people would react to this ceremony. ‘I’d like you to sign at the bottom on the dotted line.’