‘Worry can make us ill and we sometimes just need to rest,’ Owen said. ‘So off you go and I don’t want to see you back until Monday. Go home and see your family again. Maybe accompany your mum to her doctor’s appointment. And I don’t expect you to take it as holiday. You’ve put in more than enough extra hours since you started here so let’s call it a day and a bit in lieu.’

Walking through the door to the flat a little after 3.30 p.m., I found the list of companies we’d created last night on the coffee table along with a note from Drew:

Jemma

Sorry I missed you this morning. Hope you’re OK.

Got called into work to cover sickness but managed to call the 1st 8 companies on the list before I left. Lots of bitchy receptionists playing ‘gatekeeper’ but I charmed the pants off them of course! None of them have a Scott Hastings working there. The numbers don’t work for the 2 companies I’ve put a cross next to.

Sorry I couldn’t do more, but I can probably call some more tomorrow after work.

Drew xx

I stood in the lounge with Drew’s note in my hand. I liked the idea of going home again. If I tried some more numbers then packed, I’d miss the commuting crowd and would hopefully be able to bag a seat on the train.

Retrieving my laptop, a notepad, and a pen from my bedroom, I sat at the dining table and loaded up the first website while trying to psyche myself up to making the call. What would I say if I found the right company? Hello, my name’s Jemma Browne and the Scott Hastings who you’ve just said works for you asked me to marry him on Friday but seems to have deleted me from his life since then. Is there a way you can put me through to him so I find out what the hell’s going on? Thank you so much for your help.

Hmmm.

Sod it! I’d cross that bridge if it came to it. And it would never come to it if I didn’t dial.

‘Good afternoon, you’re through to Energest Ltd, how may I help?’ said a female in a sing-song tone when the first call connected.

‘Hi, erm, yes, I wondered if you can help me. I’m trying to get hold of someone … erm, someone I know… erm… Does a Scott Hastings work for you?’

‘I’m sorry, but it’s company policy that we don’t give out the names of any staff members.’

‘I’m not asking you to give out any names. I know his name. I just want to know if he works there.’