‘Sybil’s showing me …’ David hesitated, the same way Tara had hesitated before, as if there were words that were sticking in his throat. ‘Um, not sure whether I should say this really.’

‘If it’s another complaint about the food, tell her to cut out the middle man and get on to Tesco head office.’

‘It’s not about the food. It’s about you.’

‘Go on.’ He was guessing. Playing for time.

‘She says …’ David looked up at her. ‘She’s showing you as being much happier now. And she’s showing me herself happier too.’

Tara’s heart pulsed in her throat. It was partly because what he’d just told her was weirdly intimate, but also because David’s brown eyes were locked on hers, and there was a vulnerability in his gaze that was also protective, and out of nowhere, Tara had the strangest feeling of being completely safe, completely at home in this—

The atmosphere was broken by a knock on the door, and Kasia’s head appeared round it.

‘Are you coming down to Douglas’s laptop lecture?’ she said, without much enthusiasm. ‘Jacqueline’s announcing the winners of the Step Challenge – Chloe says there’s prizes. Better not be that foot spa that keeps doing the rounds on the raffle,’ she added darkly, then looked between the two of them, as if noticing something for the first time. ‘Sorry, am I interrupting?’

‘No!’ Tara spoke too loudly. Her face felt hot. ‘No, we’re coming down now.’

‘Nice cat,’ said Kasia, and Sybil glared at her, then stalked back into her basket.

In order to ensure full attendance at her meeting, Jacqueline had cannily seeded rumours of the Step Challenge results amongst the most gossipy members of the Wellness Centre team, and then even more cannily reserved the announcement until after the lecture about correct chair adjustments and DVT.

Tara forced herself to focus on Douglas’s collection of lapel badges as he droned on, conscious that with her job application now in the system – and applications closed – her enthusiasm for every aspect of the Centre’s programme was under scrutiny.

She wondered how many other people in the room had applied for Jacqueline’s job. Bryan, maybe? He was always pontificating about what changes he’d make if he was in charge, starting with the banning of instant coffee. Emily? Emily would love to wreak changes, much like Bryan, but it was hard to imagine her wanting the paperwork. And she’d have mentioned it.

David?

Tara couldn’t study David’s expression as he was sitting next to her, but she sensed he was concentrating on Douglas’s talk – genuinely, too, not for show, like her. A few weeks ago she’d have assumed David would not only apply for the job, despite his newness, but that he would get it. Now, though, Tara was sure he’d have told her.