Rarely has a behind-closed-doors shadowy Whitehall meeting mattered so much to the lives of so many.
Tomorrow, if rumours are correct, Boris Johnson will sit down with Rishi Sunak and Matt Hancock to decide whether or not to keep his manifesto promise on social care.

I wanted Boris's job in Downing Street and fought with every breath I had to beat him.

But even I, his vanquished rival, had to take my hat off to the big-heartedness of the promise he made on the steps of Downing Street when he got the job.

Those words brought hope to millions: 'I am announcing now - on the steps of Downing Street - that we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve.'

Optimistic words from a prime minister who has made defying the 'gloomsters' his trademark.

And now we need that optimism more than ever to turn Britain into a country where everyone can face the prospect of old age with confidence and security. For that they need to know there will be a decent safety net to make sure everyone gets the care they need - just like the NHS does for health.

They also need to know the loved ones they leave behind won't lose all their savings if they end up with dementia and having to pay expensive care home fees.

But is it too expensive?

Understandably some of our national bean-counters are worried it may be, with our national finances shot to pieces by the pandemic.