“I can't authorize anything,” I say in panic. “I can't sign anything.
I've never heard of Tony Dukes. I don't remember any of this stuff!” “Oh.” Clare's pile of papers drops slightly as she surveys me, wide-?eyed.
“Well... who's going to run the department? Byron?”
“No! I mean... me. It's my job. I'll do it. I just need a bit of time... Look, leave all that with me.
” I try to pull myself together. “I'll have a read-?through. Maybe it'll come back to me.” “Okay,” Clare says, clearly relieved. She dumps the pile of papers on the desk.
“I'll just bring your coffee through.” My head spinning, I sit down at the desk and pick up the first letter. It's all about some ongoing complaint.
“As you will be aware... expect your immediate response...” I turn to the next document. It's a monthly
