‘As soon as things are a bit quieter for me,’ I say, knowing full well I’ve no plans at all to slow down on my workload any time soon, never mind meet him for a drink.

I hang up – and fire a quick email to Ryan letting him know the interview is as good as in the bag. It’s all coming together very nicely indeed.

I’ve barely noticed the transition from day to evening and from evening into night. I’ve been vaguely aware of my colleagues leaving, of the newsroom getting quieter and eventually falling silent. Another paper has been put to bed and we get to start all over again in the morning.

Ryan walks up to my desk before he leaves.

‘Are we okay?’ he asks.

I look up at him, blinking.

‘Well, I’m okay,’ I tell him, looking back at my screen where I was just putting the finishing touches to an unrelated feature piece set to run in the weekend edition. ‘I wouldn’t dare try to speak for you.’

‘Look. Sweetheart,’ he says, and I cringe, biting back the urge to tell him that I am not his sweetheart. We’re not playing that game now. ‘I don’t mean to come across as heavy-handed, but I’m not telling you to go easy for the good of my health. I’m watching out for you.’

‘I appreciate the concern, but I can look out for myself,’ I say, still not looking up. ‘And before you get your knickers in a knot, don’t worry, I’ll make it very clear any extra stuff I look into isn’t for The Chronicle. Our precious reputation will be protected.’ Only then do I look back at him. See him shaking his head.

‘You can be such a brat at times. You’re going to get yourself in a whole lot of trouble one of these days, Ingrid. Maybe then you’ll realise I was only trying to help you.’ He perches on the edge of my desk, and I feel him hook a finger under my chin and lift my face towards his. ‘You know I care about you.’

I’m too angry to listen to him. Too angry to show him any respect, begrudging or otherwise. I shake my head, pull away from his touch.

‘Then stop patronising me,’ I say. ‘You’re not my father, so stop treating me like some stupid junior reporter without the sense I was born with. I know what I’m doing.’

‘I’m not saying you’re stupid. But I am saying you’re in too deep, Ingrid. You’re too close to this and it’s never a good idea to get too close to any story.’

‘Ryan, if you don’t mind. I have a lot to do here.’ I nod towards my screen. ‘Can I just get on with it?’