‘Surprise!’ trilled Jacqueline, and a muted cheer rose from the assembled Wellness Centre staff, including a couple of people she knew didn’t normally have appointments on a Monday.

Jacqueline held out her hands to Tara with a warm smile, directing her to pride of place in front of the pre-war tea urn that had managed to survive all four previous ownerships, mainly because no one knew how to unplumb it without destroying the hand-painted tiling.

‘Tara,’ she said, in her motherly, prize-giving voice. ‘I know you hate blowing your own trumpet but we wanted to let you know how very proud we are of you, and the hard, hard work you’ve been doing to help rebuild our community after the terrible events of these last few weeks.’

‘Honestly, it was just …’ Tara spotted a bouquet of flowers on the table behind Kemi the massage therapist.

‘We know what a terrific counsellor you are, Tara,’ Jacqueline went on, ‘but to give so much of your time and energy when you’ve had your own challenges to overcome this year … well. It must have taken a huge amount of courage, as well as strength, to step forward to help others like this.’

Murmurs of agreement rippled around the kitchen. It was a unanimous reaction – from Hero the crystal therapist and Anji the heart-field healer at the unicorn fringes of the Centre’s therapy list, to Freudian Judith, and Steven, the tough-love life coach at the ‘get a grip’ end. And everyone else in between. David – so far unplaced on Tara’s private scale of credibility – nodded approvingly. Their eyes met, and she wished she’d made the effort to knock on his door and say hello. What did he know about her? Jacqueline was making her sound like a cross between Wonder Woman and Mother Teresa.

‘So! Now the worst’s over and you’ve been released from your duties at the crisis unit, we’re delighted to have you back! And we wanted to give you this small gesture of our admiration, for representing the Wellness Centre and everything we believe in. We’re so proud of you.’ Jacqueline gestured at Kemi, who stepped forward with the bouquet like a nervous child shoved to the front of a royal visit.

There was a round of applause and Tara accepted the flowers with an uncomfortable smile. The truth was, she wasn’t at all sure she deserved them.