During that first meeting Alex eyed me like I was an irritating child. He slumped on the sofa in his father’s office, dirty old boots on the coffee table, half-asleep, apparently oblivious to me giving it my very best shot. When I saw his eyes were actually shut, I felt incredible relief. I was suddenly struck by the uneasy feeling I was prostituting myself for my goal – but I shook it off as I got into my stride, increasingly passionate and enthused by my subject. Still, Malcolm refused to agree to anything; the most he’d promise was to consider appearing.

As I shook Malcolm’s hand, Alex opened his eyes and stretched broadly, shaking himself rather like a long shaggy dog would. He muttered something to his father as I headed out, and then he followed me, lounging opposite me in the lift. We didn’t speak as we travelled smoothly down, but when the lift spat us out, Alex ran his hand through those tufts again.

‘Good luck,’ he murmured as the doors to the street slid open, stepping back to let me go first.

Outside it was sharp and crisp, a blast of much-needed fresh air to my addled brain. ‘Thanks.’ I dug out my travelcard, just relieved the whole ordeal was over. I was buying a paper at the news-stand when I saw Alex lope across the road, a small scruffy dog at his heels now, and whistle loudly.

‘Oi, Ron!’

A bent old geezer in a filthy duffel coat and half a balaclava shuffled out of an alleyway beside Pret a Manger, clutching his stash of Big Issues and a quarter of a croissant.

‘You can go back now.’ Alex handed him a tenner. ‘Tell them Malcolm’s son said it was fine, okay?’ He clocked me as I collected my change. ‘Still here?’

I flushed angrily. ‘Not for much longer.’ I turned on my heel.

‘Hey,’ he called. I glanced over my shoulder. He was standing like an island in the midst of a stream of harried commuters. ‘I don’t suppose you fancy a quick drink?’

‘A drink?’ I repeated stupidly. I looked at my watch: it was only just nine. ‘It’s much too early for a drink.’

‘Oh, live a little,’ he grinned. ‘I’ve been working all night. I need to unwind.’

‘I don’t think so, thanks,’ I said rather primly. I’d never skipped school, much less work. ‘I’ve got to get to the office.’

‘But this can be your office, can’t it?’ He walked towards me and I realised just how tall he was. His dog sniffed my shoes with enthusiasm. ‘Perhaps you can persuade me to be on your show.’

‘I don’t want you to be on my show.’

‘Charming.’