Page 45 of The Good Neighbour

Against his better judgement, Josh had briefed Jean-Paul on the purpose of the mission. He had also threatened him with a year of the worst tasks if he breathed a word until Hugh was ready. Whether that would work was anyone’s guess.

“I have and he’s promised to keep it to himself. Haven’t you, Jean-Paul?”

“Relax,” Jean-Paul replied. “Your secret is safe with me. You know she’ll find out. I have no idea how she does it.”

Josh wanted to tell her himself. It would be far easier. It had worked with Madeline although he suspected Mrs Wimpole might be a tougher nut to crack.

Jean-Paul pulled out the duck-egg blue suit.

“What about this one?”

Hugh screwed his face up and shook his head. “Too obvious.”

Okay, maybe I won’t be any help then.

Next came the mint green one that was dismissed as too racy.

Then they found an ivory suit. It had a light diamante trim on the cuffs which caught the light beautifully.

“I love this,” Hugh said, holding it up to his body. “It would need letting out a little.”

“Would you at least let me do that?” Josh asked.

Jean-Paul frowned. “I’m not sure that’s exactly her. She likes colour.”

“I don’t want to be a caricature of her. Simply an essence.”

“Fair enough,” Jean-Paul said, rubbing his chin. “If you take my advice, the blue will pick up better under lights.”

Josh had to agree with Jean-Paul. The ivory suit could be a washout.

“Maybe we if put a W on the back in diamante,” Hugh said. “Glam it up a bit.”

“And why exactly would you need a W on the back?”

They all spun around to see the woman herself staring at them. Judging by the fury on her face, she was none too pleased.

How the fuck did she get in?

“Mrs Wimpole,” Josh exclaimed.

His mouth had gone dry. It appeared everyone else had frozen solid too.

“Joshua. Hugh. Jean-Paul. May I ask exactly what is going on here?”

Before Josh formed any words, Hugh stood forward. The worry on his face made Josh want to reach out and hug him.

“Mrs Wimpole,” he began. “I intended to pay you a visit in the next couple of days. I wanted everything to be right before I did.”

“Go on,” she said.

“As you know, I’ve been having a few problems professionally,” Hugh continued. “Me and my drag sister, Imean professional partner. Well, we’ve been searching for inspiration for new characters. Believe me when I say that we are struggling.”

He glanced nervously at Josh, who gently nodded. He’d come this far. Confession time had arrived. Come what may.

“I was going to get to know Madeline Morrison at first. Then I met you and the Professor at the party and…”

Mrs Wimpole’s eyes began to shine. “Are you saying that you have found inspiration in us?”