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‘Hello,’ I reply. ‘Thanks for seeing me in person.’

‘Is it something that needs saying in person?’ he checks – he doesn’t sound worried, but he’s asking, so that must mean something. ‘Do I need to be concerned?’

‘No, no – that’s why I put a smiley emoji in the message,’ I say with a similar smile.

He grins back.

It’s strange how happy I am to see him again. Perhaps it is because he is one of the only people who knows exactly how much trouble I’m in. Not all of it, obviously, but he knows about the lie. He’s in on it.

‘Go on then,’ he says knowingly. ‘What does Bravo want now?’

‘He’s been meeting with England’s media manager.’

‘Right…’

I take a breath.

‘They’ve been discussing you and Jamie – your rivalry.’

‘And they’re dropping him?’ he says with a playful smile.

‘They think the rivalry is good for the league, and for the World Cup…’

‘Why would they think that?’ he replies. ‘Surely the rugby is all that matters?’

Do I tell him that they think that because I told them that? No. No, I don’t think that would help.

‘Well, the good news is, they’ve told me what they want, and it’s my job to make it happen, and you know I’m on your side, so…’

My voice trails off.

‘And they think this will be good for the sport?’ he checks.

‘Yes, not just for the league in the run-up to the Grand Final, but they think it will make people more interested in seeing you play together for England.’

‘Assuming we’re both picked.’

‘Are you likely to be?’

‘Depends if one of us kills the other while we’re doing whatever you’re about to ask me to do,’ he jokes – but with a straight face, so I’m assuming he’s joking. ‘What do they want us to do?’

There is no point easing him into it. He already looks as though he knows he won’t enjoy whatever it is.

‘Jamie’s coming here tomorrow, to spend the day with you,’ I tell him. ‘I’m supposed to take you somewhere, get you playing games head-to-head or something like that, ask you questions, film bits and bobs…’

‘The day?’ he blurts.

‘I’m sure it won’t take the whole day,’ I insist. ‘I’ll make it as brief as possible.’

‘What kind of bits and bobs?’ he checks.

‘Interviews, photos, challenges. Things England can use, things Leeds can use too, presumably things Manchester can use as well.’

‘Great.’

That was definitely sarcasm.

‘Is it optional?’ he asks.