Josep Oliver, Private Detective

When Nicola, the writer, told me about this guy I knew he would be fun to meet. The idea of private detectives always comes with iconic images, be it a laconic Humphrey Bogart or something more modern and invariably sleazy.

He generously offered to pick me up in his car though the office is nearby, I was half expecting to be sat amongst food wrappers from long night stakeouts and sinister surveillance equipment, but no, a modest car, moderately clean.

He was an interesting guy, very amiable and full of enthusiasm. And yes there was the whiff of secrets and things best not discussed, ongoing cases, hints of how much work there is dealing with cheating partners. One might assume being a private eye would leave you jaded if so much of your work involved uncovering the lies of others, but he was not like that at all, there were several affectionate references to his wife (she said he ought to wear a suit, even though it was sweltering out) and all in all I got the impression of someone loving their life and loving their work.