Julian had only been back for two days when the message arrived. It came not through my assistant, not through business channels, but as a simple note slipped under the boutique door.

At first I thought it was another supplier introduction or perhaps a handwritten thank-you from a customer. The envelope was plain, the handwriting unfamiliar at a glance. But when I opened it and saw the name signed at the bottom, I froze.

The envelope lay flat on my desk as though it did not want to be touched ...