‘Fine,’ said Ros, reaching to take the folder.

‘Cool. I didn’t realise I didn’t need to sign it. Great,’ he said, getting to his feet.

‘You don’t have to, but if you don’t sign it that will be detailed in my report to the directors where I spell out those who are in breach of company policy regarding risk and compliance.’ Ros put the folder in her in-tray.

Alastair sat down again. ‘Is there any option where I don’t have to read it and also don’t get ratted out to the senior team?’

Ros laughed. ‘We’re not at school. I’m not ratting you out. I’m reporting upwards on the status of compliance across the company. That’s different.’

‘Yeah, not from where I’m sitting. So you won’t compromise at all?’ Alastair’s tone was no longer friendly.

‘No,’ said Ros. She lifted the folder out of her in-tray and held it up. Alastair snatched it and stomped off.

Chapter Six

Ros was at home in her slippers on Wednesday evening staring at the flip chart she’d just completed when there was a buzz on her apartment entry system. It was Darla so she let her in and a few moments later there was a tentative tap on the door.

‘It’s open,’ called Ros.

‘I bring gifts,’ said Darla, waving a large bar of Cadbury’s chocolate. ‘Am I safe to come in or are you going to attack me with the egg whisk?’

‘That happened one time and it was an accident,’ said Ros.

‘Jury’s out,’ said Darla, shutting the door and joining her at the flip chart. She pointed at the page titled ‘Boyfriend Contract. Risk Assessment’. And the neat lists underneath. ‘But Cameron said you’ve not been in touch.’

‘Because this whole idea is a massive risk.’

‘All boyfriends are, to be fair.’

‘Not to the extent that they need a detailed control plan to reduce the risks. Although some of these are probably generic.’ She scanned her lists. ‘Anyway, I’m still ironing out key areas of the contract. And I’ve not completely decided if I’m going ahead with your quite frankly ridiculous idea.’ She kissed the top of Darla’s head. ‘Thank you. You’re a good friend. Completely nuts but a good friend.’

‘Would you say you were leaning more on the “let’s do this” side?’

‘Possibly. I did want to ask, is Cameron my only option? I wondered, as I’d be paying, whether maybe there were any other candidates.’

Darla tilted her head at Ros. ‘You should have said. I’m sure Ryan Reynolds would be up for it.’

For a moment Ros was buoyed until the penny dropped. ‘You’re joking.’

‘You think?’

‘Ryan Reynolds is happily married, so yes. I also know he’s way out of my league but I did see myself with someone a bit more . . .’ Ros couldn’t think of anything that wasn’t going to insult Darla’s friend and colleague.

‘I know Cameron’s a bit scruffy,’ Darla allowed. ‘Although to be fair when he’s working at the bar that is him at his smartest.’

Ros twitched slightly.

‘But he has a nice smile and your dad would be suspicious if you turned up with Ryan Reynolds,’ said Darla.

‘I guess. As he is the only option then I have a flip chart for you with lots of questions about Cameron. I don’t know anything about him. Is he trustworthy?’

‘Totally. And anything detailed you want to know you need to ask him. I don’t mean to be insensitive but . . .’ Darla scrunched her features up ‘. . . time isn’t on your side.’

‘I understand that but a business contract needs to be on a firm footing.’ Ros tapped the flip chart with her marker pen.

‘Firm footing yes. Clear mutual understanding of the requirements, agreed. But not a ninety-page countersigned document.’ Darla flopped down on the sofa. ‘Put the kettle on. I have crap to share.’

Ros did as Darla suggested and then moved to lean against the sofa and stare at the flip chart. ‘I think I’ve covered all bases but I’ll need to type it up.’

‘No, you don’t. You need to call Cameron and agree a price before he goes off the idea, and then . . . I don’t know, get him to come over and go through your flip charts, then you can introduce him to Barry. Sooner rather than . . . well, later.’ The way Darla said later had Ros’s attention. Documented detail was her comfort blanket. But right now she didn’t have time for that.

‘Perhaps we could both sign the flip charts,’ suggested Ros.

‘There you go. Decaffeinated tea please and a symp-athetic ear. If I ever sit for that dog again I will need a gas mask. It’s good to breathe fart-free air for a couple of hours.’

‘Tea coming right up,’ said Ros, keen to hear about Darla’s troubles and forget about her own.

Ros had almost cancelled her meeting with Cameron numerous times throughout Friday and had caught herself thinking about all the many things they would need to cover if they were to pull off the deception. There was easily enough to fill another flip chart. They had exchanged text messages and Cameron seemed very happy with the payment programme she had offered, which involved an initial sign-up fee, to make sure he was committed, and then weekly payments with an estimated duration of twelve weeks. Twelve weeks. On one hand she very much hoped her dad was going to be around a little longer; on the other, twelve weeks was a long time to fake being in a relationship.

Ros showered and changed into something casual and then thought that perhaps business attire might give a more formal feel; it was a meeting after all. She was putting on a shirt when the entry bell sounded. Cameron was early. She buzzed him in and hastily did up the buttons. Shirt and jeans would have to do.

‘Hiya,’ said Cameron shyly, slinking inside the apartment and closing the door before handing Ros a small bunch of yellow carnations. ‘I got you these.’

‘Thank you, that’s kind of you but unnecessary. It has made me think of something else to add to the list . . . expenses.’ She put the flowers down on the worktop and turned over three flip chart pages until she came to a free space. ‘We’ll need a process for you to claim back any valid expenditure.’

‘They’re just a gift,’ said Cameron.

Ros wasn’t sure what to say.

Cameron looked around. ‘I figured if you lived in Ocean Village it would be a smart pad but wow this is a gorgeous place you have.’

Ros was happy to take compliments about her home. The modern top-floor apartment with wrap-around balcony and views over the marina was her pride and joy. ‘Thank you.’

Cameron came to stand next to her and whistled through his teeth. ‘That is some list. I know you said you wanted to go over a few details but this is a whole workshop. I bet you don’t usually workshop your relationships.’ He laughed.

Ros sidled over to the flip chart pad and tore off a couple of pages, hastily folded them on her way to the recycling box. He didn’t need to know about the disastrous session with her last boyfriend.

‘Anyway I’d best get these in some water,’ she said, scanning Cameron as she picked up the flowers. He looked all studenty in his hoodie, ripped jeans and canvas pumps. ‘Would you like a drink?’

‘A beer would be great, thanks.’

‘I meant tea or coffee,’ said Ros.

‘Gotcha. Builder’s tea, two sugars please.’ There was an awkward silence while Ros made the drinks. It was beyond weird to have this virtual stranger in her home. She wasn’t blessed in the small-talk department as it was and this was stretching her skills.

‘Did you come far?’ she asked.

‘Portswood. I’m in a house share there.’