‘What, in this cafe?’ Tara looked round. It was several doors down from the Wellness Centre but was the fourth or fifth choice of most of the therapists, thanks to the expensive coffees and the terrible acoustics that left you vulnerable to bellowing something personal into an unexpected silence.

‘No,’ said Emily patiently. ‘I mean, should you have come into work today?’

‘You think I should be at home? Making breakfast for them?’

‘No, should you be seeing clients today? You need to talk this situation through with your supervisor at the very least – I can’t see how you can just put something so … personally disruptive to one side.’

Tara sipped her cold coffee, pretending to consider her words. Emily was right, of course: ethically, she had an obligation to protect her clients from her own issues. And for once, she had already done the right thing on that front. ‘I called Eric this morning, but his secretary said he’s in Greece for a fortnight, and he’s mad busy after that so …’ The fact that her supervisor’s secretary didn’t recognize her name said everything about how very overdue Tara was with her supposedly regular supervisions.

‘What about your own therapist? Could they not give you some interim advice?’ When Tara didn’t answer, Emily added, ‘You are getting some support with this, aren’t you?’

‘It’s only happened recently,’ muttered Tara. ‘And I’ve been busy.’

Emily opened her mouth, then closed it again. She seemed to be struggling to process such a torrent of surprising information about her colleague. ‘Wow. Tara. I had no idea you had all this going on as well. No wonder you’re stressed out.’

I shouldn’t have told Emily, thought Tara suddenly. She really hadn’t meant to, but the manic energy had got the better of her. Tara’s plan was to suggest a casual catch-up coffee before work, and then – again – ask Emily about her hypothetical client, but the truth had started spilling out the moment they’d sat down in the cafe, a couple of tell-tale ‘I’s, and now Emily was regarding her with undisguised concern.

Undisguised concern wasn’t one of Emily’s natural expressions; she prided herself on maintaining a completely neutral face, in order to let clients speak freely and without judgement. But right now, Tara had never seen Emily look so shocked and appalled – and, if she was being honest, fascinated. Emily looked as if she’d just seen a five-car pile-up on the M25, but with a zebra driving one of the cars.

Oh God, thought Tara, realizing the extent of her mistake. I should have waited and told David. David already knows some of this. Why didn’t I just talk to David?

Because she didn’t want David to see this unedifying side of her.