Transcendental, that’s the word ... I worked with him – gosh, it must have been 20 years ago – and recognised a quality then, but ... it was a bravura performance. Very intense, brooding, what an interpretation.” The Thesp was referring to Jude Law’s performance in Hamlet, but as our conversation continued it became apparent he’d been to a matinee performance when he was supposed to have been manning the business. “It was so quiet in the office I thought I’d pop off and get a day seat and my luck was in. I bought two seats for your return.”

Just when The Thesp is about to exasperate me, he redeems himself. Besides, I couldn’t really fault him. It’s mid-August and my BlackBerry has ceased to alert me to new messages other than junk mail. Though I know the stock market is rising and my clients are, no doubt, following these changes, there will be no activity until September.