The telephone call with Rupert reminds me that I haven't spoken with my family for some time. We usually call about once a week. Toby is in Bolivia, and Oliver is usually filming on location for at least six months of the year, but everyone else is based at Blackmarsh- Tony and Katie, Timothy (who is two years younger than Oliver and I), Dhriti and Jasmit, Nicholas and Nathaniel. Toby and I, Dhriti and Jasmit are all adopted. Dhriti and Jasmit were best friends already, before Tony and Katie came into their lives. Both are fourteen now, and both want to be dancers. Or gymnasts. Or Cirque du Soliel performers. I think they might do well in musicals, the sort with a lot of dancing, they are both very good singers. Nick and Nat are twins, both eleven and both currently claiming they will be soccer players when they grow up. I suspect they will end up doing something with horses instead. Lik

The second date, as promised, is to the pub up the road which had paintings for sale. It comes a little too soon for my tastes, but when you work the hours we do you learn to grab opportunities when they come. Holly has really made an effort, with a peacock blue trouser suit that makes his rear view look amazing. Apparently he doesn't do casual. He's managed to find nail varnish that matches exactly. The man must spend half his life shopping for nail polish!I feel a little underdressed beside him, although I know my dark green shawl top complements my skin. I've gone for matching wedge hightops instead of more formal shoes. I've left my hair loose as well and it is bouncing in a glossy, crinkly cloud around my head. Holly stares. Maybe he's never seen me without my hair up.He gallantly holds the door open for me, which could start t

I'm home, the rest of the journey having passed in a blur. The flat looks perfectly normal, although I switch on all the lights to help dispel my mental shadows. There's no Bellmouth, which comes as a comfort because it means the danger really is over.The phone calls begin as soon as I remember to switch my mobile back on, because everyone in the family hears Bellmouth when he bays a warning. Rupert too, and even a few of his bodyguard, the ones who have been there since Blackmarsh decided that Rupert was One Of Us and have seen and accepted all the associated weirdness.

It is both reassuring and disconcerting to return to the normality of rehearsal and performance. I even find David's casual

I find the best way for me to cope with stress is to do what I can, rather than dwelling on what I cannot. In my case, what I can do is to find out more about Mr Cavendish. I have rather an unfair advantage when it comes to investigating people. Your average member of the public, when they want to learn more about the CEO of a little-known company, is limited in their sources to the company website, Companies House and maybe Wikipedia, if the company has a high enough profile. I have MI5 on speed dial.I don’t call the emergency number. MI5 is there to protect the country, the Queen, and by extension the future King. It is not there to act as my personal assistant. However I have been assigned a dedicated contact within the organisation. After forcing myself to go to bed and at least attempt to sleep, I wait until she will be in the office and call her.The reputation of Blackmarsh is such that, in a few select but important places, you don&r