‘Hi Dex, I’m sorry it’s early for you,’ she said. ‘You’re probably not awake yet. But some of us have jobs to go to. I’m sorry I won’t be with you at the studio tonight, but I want to wish you luck. I know you understand that it’s my big night too. That’s show business, Dex! I’ll speak to you later. Lots of love to you. Oh-and Dex-you really have to change that answerphone message.’
Dexter Mayhew wasn't feeling good when he arrived at the television studio on the Isle of dogs. It was his father's fault. His father had left a message on his answerphone earlier in the day.
'I called to wish you luck for tonight,' his father had said. 'I'll be watching the programme. It's so sad that your mother isn't here to see you. She was so ... proud of you. Well, good luck Dexter. And don't take any notice of the newspapers.'
When he'd heard the message, Dexter had gone out and bought all the daily newspapers. He'd opened the first one at the television pages and read the headline.
IS DEXTER MAYHEW THE NASTIEST MAN ON TV?
Dexter had drunk some vodka to settle his nerves as he read the story beneath the headline. The story wasn't kind to him. Dexter was a stupid rich boy who'd been educated at Winchester College but pretended to be a cockney, the author wrote mockingly. Dexter thought that he was popular with young people, the author said, but really young people just laughed at him. They didn't connect with him at all. Dexter had felt sick when he read this. And he had had several more drinks before he arrived at the television studio that evening.
In his dressing room at the studio, Dexter sat quietly trying to relax. He had told the producer of the show that he wanted to be alone. He was nervous. He had been a TV presenter foe several years now, so he was surprised at how nervous he