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A faintly puzzled look passes over Luke's face, and he disappears back into the bathroom. OK, quick, I tell myself. What am I doing to do? Am I going to get dressed and go? Am I going to make the meeting?

But my hand's already reaching for my bag as though it's got a will of its own; I'm pulling out a business card and punching a number into the phone.

Because, I mean, we don't actually need to have a meeting, do we?

And I'd probably never make it in time, anyway.

And he probably won't even mind. He's probably got loads of other stuff he'd prefer to be doing instead. In fact, he probably won't even notice.

'Hello?' I say into the phone, and feel a tingle of pleasure as Luke comes up behind me and begins to nuzzle my ear. 'Hello, yes, I'd… I'd like to leave a message for Mr Smeath.'

***

BANK OF HELSINKI

HELSINKI HOUSE

124 LOMBARD ST

LONDON EC2D 9YF

Rebecca Bloomwood

c/o William Green Recruitment

39 Farringdon Square

London EC4 7TD

5 April 2000

Hyvi Rebecca Bloomwood

Saanen jilleen kerran onnitella teiti hienosta suorituksestanne – tilla kertaa,Morning Coffee» – ohjelmassa. Arvostelukykynne ja nakemyksenne tekivit minuun syvin vaikutuksen ja uskon, etti teisti olisi suurta hyatyi tiilli Helsingin Pankissa. Olette todenn/ik6isesti saanut lukemattomia ty6tar jouksia – teidin lahjoillanne voisi hyvin saada minki tahansa toimen «Financial Timesista.» Pyydin teiti kttitenkin vieli ken-an harkitsemaan vaatimatonta yhti6timme.

Parhaiten teille ehki sopisi viestintivirkailijan

paikka, joka meill[i on tilli hetkelli avoinna.

Toimen edellinen haltija erotettiin hiljattain hinen

luettuaan taissi «Playboyta.»

Parhaiten teille ehki sopisi viestintivirkailijan paikka, joka meill[i on tilli hetkelli avoinna. Toimen edellinen haltija erotettiin hiljattain hinen luettuaan taissi «Playboyta.»

Parhain terveisin

Ystivillisesti

Jan Vianen

***

The happy homeworking family

230a Burnside Road

Leeds L6 4ST

Ms Rebecca Bloomwood

Flat 2

4 Burney Rd

London SW6 8FD

7 April 2000

Dear Rebecca

I write to acknowledge receipt of 136 completed Fine Frames ('Sherborne' style – blue). Thank you very much for your fine work. A cheque for ?272 is enclosed, together with an application form for your next frame-making pack.

Our quality control manager, Mrs Sandra Rowbotham, has asked me to inform you that she was extremely impressed with the quality of your first batch. Novices rarely come up to the exacting standards of the Fine Frames Quality Promise – it is clear you have a natural gift for frame-making.

I would therefore like to invite you to come and demonstrate your technique at our next Framemakers' Convention, to be held in Wilmslow on June 21. This is an occasion when all the members of the Fine Frames home-working family gather under one roof, with a chance to exchange frame-making tips and anecdotes. It's a lot of-fun, believe me!

We very much look forward to hearing from you.

Happy frame-making!

Malcolm Headley

Managing Director

P.S. Are you the same Rebecca Bloomwood who gives advice on Morning Coffee?

***

Endwich Bank

FULHAM BRANCH

3 Fulham Road

London SW6 9JH

Ms Rebecca Bloomwood

Flat 2

4 Burney Road

London SW6 8FD

10 April 2000

Dear Ms Bloomwood

Thank you for your answer-machine message of Sunday, 9 April.

I am sorry to hear you are still suffering from acute agoraphobia.

Bearing in mind the relatively healthy state of your current account at the present time, I suggest that we might postpone our meeting for the moment.

However, be assured that I shall be keeping a close eye on the situation and will be in touch, should matters change in any way.

With best wishes

Yours sincerely

Derek Smeath

Manager

PS I enjoyed your performance on Morning Coffee.

ENDWICH – BECAUSE WE CARE