The client, an avid acquirer of property, has the natural suspicions that come with a £1bn fortune.

The bilious and withered face of treachery has risen to confront me this week. The perceived image of an estate agent is the Tim-nice-but-dim character: a decent sort of chap (or chapess) not blessed with the finest grey matter. This portrayal may be pejorative but I haven’t come across many intellectuals in my line of work – myself included. Doing a good job depends on communication, integrity and straight dealing, which GG and I pride ourselves on. There’s the part that involves networking but that’s the same in any business.

A funny thing about running your own business is that people assume you have more time on your hands.

The eternal question of time,” The Thesp says wistfully. “I can hardly believe we are careering towards December. It passes so quickly at the best of times and all too slowly at the worst – but we must feel it all.” I wasn’t quite sure why Quentin was in such a philosophical mood and how I was to respond to such musings.