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‘What other good news?’

‘I’ll tell you over lunch.’ Freddy looks away, awkward. ‘I guessed you’d like vegetarian lasagne. But I have alternatives just in case.’

‘I do like lasagne. What’s wrong? You sound weird.’

Freddy gives a manly laugh. ‘Nothing’s wrong.’

‘Shall we eat in the meeting room? We have a nice one now that doesn’t smell of cement dust and tuna sandwiches.’

‘You like the British library, don’t you?’

‘Yes. Love it.’

‘I thought we could eat there. On the outdoor terrace.’

‘You can’t eat your own food on the outdoor terrace,’ says Kat. ‘Not unless you hire it.’

‘I did hire it,’ says Freddy. ‘Grab your stylish new bag. Let’s go.’

CHAPTER50

‘You’re a good friend to have,’ I tell Freddy, as we walk into the British Library, with its high ceilings and beautiful sculptures. ‘Turning up at my office with half an Italian restaurant menu and a private booking for the British Library terrace. You can come again.’

‘I’m confused.’ Freddy looks around the marble lobby. ‘This is a library, right? So where are the books?’

‘On the upper floors, mainly. See that big glass tower over there?’ I point. ‘It houses King George III’s private collection. Not that I’m into the royal family or anything, but kings and queens have all the best books. There’s a first edition of the Canterbury Tales in there. A first edition! You won’t have read the Canterbury Tales of course, but –’

‘I have.’

‘Pardon me?’

‘I’ve read the Canterbury Tales.’

Kat stares. ‘Really? Did you have to read it at school?’

‘No. I just wanted to read it. It’s an interesting look at history and social class.’

‘You’re an intriguing fellow, Freddy Stark. Who would have thought a shallow salesman would enjoy reading English history? There is more to you than meets the eye.’

‘Words are at the heart of every marketing campaign.’

‘Hey, you’d better tell that security guard over there why you have bags of food. He looks about ready to beat you with his baton.’

‘Yeah. Sure.’ Freddy waves at the security guard. ‘Hello, my friend. We have a booking for the private terrace. Would you show us the way?’

CHAPTER51

The British Library’s outdoor terrace is a lovely, paved area with giant sunshades and leafy potted trees. It’s one of my favourite places in the world. I tell Freddy this at least five times.

Weirdly, Freddy seems insecure as he arranges lasagne, pasta, focaccia bread, pollo arroz, rice balls, salads and tiramisu on a wooden table. He keeps frowning at the food, rearranging it on the table and double-checking that I like his choices.

‘How could I not?’ I say. ‘You ordered the whole menu.’

Once Freddy has finished fussing with the food, he hands me a paper plate and wooden fork.

‘Wooden cutlery,’ I say. ‘Well done.’

‘I grabbed it from my office.’ Freddy pushes a cardboard container of rice balls in my direction. ‘We’re a recyclable-only workplace now. I thought, if Little Voice can do it on a shoestring budget, then we can. We have to look after Mother Earth, right? Our kids will need a planet to live on.’