The traffic was crawling on account of everyone slowing down to avoid the fresh flooding on the road. Tara sat for ten minutes in a queue for the traffic lights at the bottom of the hill, flipping through scribbled 3 a.m. bullet points on the hypothetical client crises she would have to discuss in under thirty minutes.

Why hadn’t she double-checked the interview date? It was such a stupid, careless mistake to make.

She hit the steering wheel with the palms of her hands.

Come on, Tara, she told herself. Don’t let yourself down.

The Wellness Centre smelled of wet coats and bad moods, and not even Jacqueline’s new Monday-morning flowers could cheer up the clammy atmosphere in reception.

Tara went straight to the kitchen to make herself a strong coffee. She still had time to get her head together before her interview, and a big dose of caffeine might help.

As she slipped out of her office, from the corner of her eye Tara saw David leave his office and head straight down the corridor, then down the broad stairs at a brisk trot. He did it rather elegantly, as if to an inaudible Fred Astaire soundtrack.

Tara frowned. Where was he going? And why was he wearing a suit?

Emily was already in the kitchen, stirring her tea and rolling her eyes at this week’s horoscope. ‘Morning, Tara! You’re a Capricorn, aren’t you? Fabulous week coming up for you, you lucky old goat.’

‘No, I’m a Pisces,’ she said, getting her mug out of the cupboard. ‘Can’t you tell from the gills?’

Emily looked back at the board, then grimaced. ‘Oh. Ouch. Well, never mind.’

Tara decided she didn’t need to know what was in store for Pisces. As if this week could get any worse.

‘David’s looking smart today,’ Emily observed, as Tara flicked the kettle on.

‘Is he?’ Tara pretended she hadn’t noticed. David was always well put together – tie, jacket, shirt with proper sleeves – but this was … smart. A pale biscuit-coloured suit, white shirt, striped tie, his brown hair freshly cut.

‘Dressed to impress, I’d say.’

The questions flipped over in Tara’s head. Was David going on a date? Did he have a special client? He hadn’t said anything. Was the ex-girlfriend back on the scene? Tara was surprised to find herself hoping not.

‘I wonder if …’ Emily said, then stopped theatrically.

‘You wonder if what?’ asked Tara, since that was clearly her line.

‘I wonder if …’ Emily repeated under her breath, then leaned out of the kitchen door to check no one was about to come in. When she was satisfied that they were alone, Emily nodded towards the staircase. ‘I wonder if that was an interview suit? Do you think Dr David’s applied for the Centre Director job?’

That was one option Tara hadn’t considered. ‘No, why would he? He’s only been here a few months.’