Benjamin wasn’t sure how long he had been walking. He realised with a start that he had left his car in the tax office car park. Well, it would be theirs soon enough, so there was no point going back to get it. He looked around, trying to get his bearings, but he didn’t recognise the street or its name.

His phone rang again. He ignored it. When it stopped, he pulled it out and stared at it. Screwed up his courage and dialled voicemail. Instead of ranting messages about his secret shame, his PA and Jaz were worried about him.

‘Just call me, Benjamin,’ his partner begged.

Her concern made him feel like crap.

Even more like crap.

He still wasn’t going to answer the phone, though, because he had absolutely no clue what to say. Pretending to be his usual, cocky self was impossible.

Benjamin hated being out of control. He needed to find a way to wrest it back somehow. How? Thoughts and fears whirled round his mind faster than a rotor blade. All his options had been closed down to him.

There was one person who might, just might, be able to help him out:

The Russian.

Benjamin thought of the dodgy rumours Jazmine had warned him about. He’d heard a load himself but reckless desperation had driven him to try to woo Vladimir Tarkovsky. Officially, the Russian had refused the business proposition, but Benjamin had an alternative proposal.

Through the fog, he saw a familiar orange glow coming towards him and stuck his hand up to hail the black cab.

‘Southwark Street,’ he ordered.

Benjamin’s destination was the Blue Fin Building, an edifice named after the 2,000 blue aluminium fins covering its outside. It stood at the back of Tate Modern, in the heart of London’s South Bank, reaching to the sky like an eager child with all the answers. Renting office space there must have cost Vladimir an arm and a leg – or someone else their limbs, if rumours were to be believed. Benjamin tried not to be intimidated by the impressive double-height entrance, huge lobby, and floor-to-ceiling windows. He stood in the middle of the hangar-size lobby and looked up. The view was vertiginous. The architects had left a donut-like hole through the centre of the building, so he could see all the way up to the ceiling right at the top of the building. Surrounding him above were gleaming, glass-fronted balconies.

There was still time to change his mind.

Only, of course, there wasn’t.

Up to the second floor the desperate man went, trying to slide on his mask of charming arrogance. There were so many cracks in it now that someone was bound to see the truth.

Shoulders back, head high, hands in pockets to add a casual air. He was as ready as he would ever be. Show time.

---

The receptionist on the second floor looked wary when Benjamin tried to blag his way in, though.

‘You don’t have an appointment,’ she kept insisting.

‘He’ll want to see me, just tell him who it is,’ twinkled Benjamin. Nothing. ‘You know what? Don’t tell him. On your head be it.’

He started to walk away.

Smiled as he heard the PA pick up her phone and dial. A swift conversation later, and he was ushered inside. He tried not to look too smug as he walked past the secretary, but he couldn’t resist tipping her a wink.

The Russian was gazing out of his window, but turned as soon as his unexpected guest walked in.

‘Benjamin. What a pleasant surprise. Have you come to invite me shooting again?’

Benjamin shook Vladimir’s hand; a two-hander of confidence that encased his new best friend’s paw with both of his – and gave an all-important glimpse of that expensive watch. The one which helped Benjamin land deals and impress people.

‘I’ll cut straight to the chase,’ Benjamin smiled. His successful business persona slid into gear as smooth as a sports car. Against all odds, he was in control again. ‘I’ve got a great business opportunity for you. You have a finger in every business pie but accounting. Thomas & Bauer are expanding. Instead of us looking after your business concerns and you becoming one of our clients in the normal way… how about becoming a silent partner?

‘It’s a surprise, I know, Vladimir, but hear me out. We’ve got a lot of very exciting opportunities heading our way next year, and we would love you to be a part of that.

‘I’ll be honest, right now we need an investment of cash to make those dreams come true – but they are going to be stellar when they do. I thought I’d give you first refusal. You’ve an incredible reputation, and that precedes you in everything you do. I think this could be the start of a fascinating partnership that will be mutually beneficial.’

And breathe.

Benjamin held the Russian’s gaze. Forced himself not to break eye contact.

‘I’m not interested,’ Vladimir said.

The words seemed to slip to the floor and shatter as Benjamin looked on, helpless.

‘Have a think, get back to me in twenty-four hours. Businessmen like us don’t stop working just because it’s Christmas,’ he tried. He was met with a firm shake of the head.

‘If that is all, Benjamin, I must be getting on.’

‘Wait, wait, wait.’ He wiped at a trickle of sweat running down his temple. Forced a smile. ‘Wait. How about we come to a more personal arrangement then – a – a loan. I’ve heard you offer certain people loans, under certain conditions.’

A smile as wide as a shark’s grew beneath Vladimir’s porn star moustache. ‘You have been listening to too many tall tales about me, my friend. Imagine for a moment they are true – do you think I am a fairy godmum who waves a magic wand to give people money? There has to be a chance of repayment, and you have the stench of desperation pouring from you.’ He pointed at Benjamin’s forehead, tracing the progress of the traitorous bead of perspiration.

The Russian leaned in. The men’s faces were intimately close.

‘I think you would find my terms of business a little… back-breaking. Particularly given the rumours I have heard about the taxman – yes, I do not contemplate giving someone my business without first doing a little digging. I suggest that tomorrow you hand back all the files you have on us, and you do not contact me again. Otherwise, I will not be a happy man.’

Benjamin swallowed and stepped away. Nodded quickly. ‘Of course. Yes. Thank you for your time.’