The door shuts behind her, and I look gloomily over at Endof. “Never look to have the last word with a woman,” I advise him. He watches me for a second with a big doggy grin and then starts to lick his balls. I can’t say I blame him.

I don’t immediately return to my file. Instead, I spin my chair around and gaze out at the street. It’s quiet in the late afternoon sunshine, the peace disturbed only by a few people walking past on the pavement. My bones are tired, and I’m reminded that I’ve been here since four this morning. I run my fingers through my hair and sigh. I could have been tucked up with Laurie all night.

When we got back last night, I’d had every intention of steering him into my flat and having sex. He’d smirked at me when we’d arrived at my door, so I knew his intentions had aligned with mine. So it was a shock to both of us when I wished him a prim good night and left him in the corridor.

I rub my temples where a headache pulses. What is happening to me?

A little voice tells me that I know well what is happening to me. I’ve known since he surprised me in Nottingham. I’m attached.

“Fucking hell.” I say out loud, but cursing can’t help the fact that I’m falling for Laurie and doing it hard.

I like everything about him. He’s clever and funny and doesn’t let me get away with anything. But I also sense that he’d be incredibly loyal to anyone he loves. Yet while I’m becoming attached, he’s planning his return to France and still happy with a casual arrangement.

It’s ironic and probably big-headed to admit it, but I’ve always thought that if a miracle occurred and I fell for someone and wanted more, then that person would be very much in favour of it and welcome me with open arms. Not be blithely unaware and unconcerned.

It seems fairly typical of Laurie that he appears to have subverted my life entirely without any strong desire or reason to do so.

Endof jumps off the sofa and wanders over, thrusting his head under my hand as if the only thing I was planning to do with my evening was stroke him.

“What shall I do, Endof?” I ask. “How to solve the problem of Laurie.”

At the sound of his name, the dog whines softly, and I sigh.