Autumn 1990: in Regent's Park a lion feeds on the body of a man. How does this corpse connect an American writer, a glamorous advertising executive, a yuppie banker and a failed music-hall star?

Simba has vanished - possibly to kill the escaped lion. Miles seeks new opportunities in the world of kick-boxing. Victoria wonders how to use Bernie and Tim in her campaign.

The lion is still missing, though Simba Cochrane has been found. The police take an interest in Miles's freelance financial dealing, and Bernie's career seems set for a revival.