"Wonderful, wonderful!" John is all smiles in greeting Midge, pausing only to flag down one of the waiters so that he can pass both of them a drink. "Maybe you can help Robert blow his own trumpet. He's never been very good at showing off, but that's why he's here today."

Muldoon opens his mouth to protest (mostly to stop the conversation being focused on him), but John ignores him and presses on. "Did you see the Sunday Times article on him? What was it they said? Ah! Yes! 'What Robert Trent Jones is to gold courses, Robert Muldoon is to zoos'. Really very impressive."

Impressive or not, Muldoon is putting all his effort into trying not to cringe. It's not helped by John turning to Muldoon and adding, "There are some people I'd like you to talk to. You wait here while I find them."

It's an order, not a question, so he doesn't wait for an answer before he heads off.

Muldoon frowns down at the bubbling drink and sighs. "This isn't going to be strong enough."