‘I am going to need to take a step back at work,’ Mum said. ‘You’re absolutely right about that. I’ve known it for a while but I haven’t wanted to accept it. I refuse to let Parkinson’s completely change my life but I do accept that I’m going to have to make a few adjustments. Parkinson’s or no Parkinson’s, I’ve always known that, at some point, I’d have to slow down because nobody can sustain my work level forever, especially with all the travel that’s involved. I guess I wanted to make that decision for myself rather than have the decision imposed on me but we don’t always get what we want, do we? I’ve composed resignation letters for both the valuation roles but I wanted to see whether you wanted to be considered for either or both roles before I send them. I could put in a good word if you do.’

I wasn’t sure whether Mum wanted me to respond, but I couldn’t give her a decision until I knew whether I had a job in Bear With Me or whether I’d be moving back to London.

After a slight pause, Mum continued. ‘I need to step back from Bear With Me too, but I refuse to do that completely. It’s my business and it’s such an important part of my life that I don’t think I could cope without it—’

‘I wasn’t trying to push you out,’ I interrupted. ‘I handled the conversation really badly.’