Kelly had left a note under Emma’s door last night, telling her she’d popped out to meet a friend. It was true. Kind of. But now she felt guilty. It was an anxiety that crept up beneath her ribs and made her feel unsure of herself. All she needed was a strong coffee and a croissant and she’d be all right, she thought.

Memories of the previous evening flooded back and she stopped to wince several times on her way around the room, gathering clothes and finding what she needed for today. She remembered coming back to the hotel, but the timing was hazy. She’d known it was late, and that Matt thought himself in with a chance of getting her into bed, but she’d still had the wherewithal to make it distinctly clear that that wasn’t on the cards. Not last night. Not ever.

She tutted loudly and shook her head, hoping in vain to clear it. What had started as a drink between colleagues had ended with Matt being rejected, and from past experience, he didn’t take that well. She wondered how it might change the mood in the office and tutted again: she’d been stupid to accept dinner in the first place. It made her miss Johnny even more.

The last thing she needed was a hangover; long days in the massive office block in Hendon were bad enough without feeling lacklustre and sapped of energy before she even got there. She searched her bag and found paracetamol and ibuprofen and downed two of each with water. A shower would wake her up, she told herself.

By the time she’d finished and dressed, slapping on more make-up than usual, she felt semi-human. She’d said she’d knock for Emma, but her junior was already standing outside in the corridor waiting for her.

‘Morning, Emma! Did you enjoy yesterday?’

‘Guv, it was amazing!’

‘Good, that’s why I chose you. Where did you go?’

Emma recounted the details of her investigation the previous day, enthusing about the technology and her temporary colleagues. She reminded Kelly of herself twenty years ago.

They walked to the lift and Emma pressed the button. Kelly felt nauseous. All she had to do was get through the day and drink plenty of water, then she could fall into bed later and sleep the sleep of the dead. Unless something kept them working into the night.

‘Why did you leave London, guv?’ Emma blushed. ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked, it’s none of my business.’

People talked, Kelly knew, and rumours flew around; probably about some poor decision-making. She looked at Emma and smiled as the lift doors opened.