She listened silently while I went on to tell her about Evie’s one and only visit. We’d planned that she’d come down on the train on Saturday morning and stay until after lunch on Sunday. But when I told Harvey, he claimed that he’d got theatre tickets for Saturday night as a surprise because he’d assumed Evie would only be here for a day. Besides, the flat was so small, he’d argued, there wasn’t room for her. I’d waved that away, confident that Evie wouldn’t mind a night on the sofa. I was delighted that he’d bought the tickets, it was so thoughtful of him. But I made the mistake of suggesting that she and I take the tickets seeing as it was her first trip to London to visit me. He’d been mortally offended that I didn’t want to go with him and it had taken me three days to persuade him otherwise. In the end, Evie came for the day and Harvey took me to see Stomp that night. It had been good, but all the way through I couldn’t help thinking how sad it was that my sister had been forced to cut her trip short.

Vicky frowned thoughtfully. ‘How would you feel about giving up this job?’

I laughed half-heartedly. ‘Harvey would love it.’

She looked at me sternly. ‘Forget his opinion. I’m asking you.’

I blinked at her; she was right. I’d got into the habit of always considering what Harvey would think about something before I allowed myself to consider my own feelings. I felt disgusted with my own weakness.

Vicky patted my hand. ‘I can tell by your face what’s going through your mind. But stop blaming yourself. Harvey has had a lifetime of practising this behaviour; you’re only just learning his tricks.’

I nodded. ‘You’re right and actually today’s my last day doing this job.’

I explained about the promotion and the agony I’d had deciding whether to take it or not. When I finished, Vicky blew out a breath.

‘Okay. Two minutes ago, you asked me what you should do,’ she said firmly. ‘I’ll tell you, but it’s going to take bravery.’

I nodded. ‘This is the mad thing, I’ve always been quite brave, you should see me up a tree with a chainsaw.’

Vicky laughed. ‘I like your spirit. Okay, listen, it’s easy to give advice; it’s much harder to take it. But if I was in your shoes, I’d go. Today. As soon as you can.’

My eyes widened. ‘Seriously? Leave the flat and him and just … disappear?’