I held the book up so he could see. He nodded his head.

‘Virginia Woolf? Don’t think I’ve read any of hers. Is it any good?’

‘I’m not sure yet,’ I said, flicking through the pages nervously. ‘I’ve only just started it.’

‘What’s it about?’

‘Erm, well, it’s –’

But before I could tell him, Stewart Jacob strode into the reception area. He was a broad, imposing man, with steel-grey eyes and a hawkish expression. He dressed impeccably in expensive suits and silk ties. I always became tongue-tied in his presence. There was something about the way he looked at me, as though he was waiting for me to trip up. But thankfully, that day, he completely ignored me and went towards Sean, his hand outstretched.

‘You must be Sean Allan,’ he said, a rare smile appearing on his face. ‘Stewart Jacob. Good to meet you. Do come through.’

He turned on his heels. Sean followed. And as he passed my desk he turned to me with a smile that looked halfway excited, halfway terrified, and crossed his fingers.

‘Good luck,’ I mouthed.

‘Thank you,’ he mouthed back.

Then he was gone and I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting at my desk, casting furtive glances towards the door that led to Stewart Jacob’s office. At 5 p.m. I took the huge sack of post down to the mailroom to be franked. When I came back I saw Sean’s visitor badge on the desk. I’d missed him. I felt a strange, empty feeling in the pit of my stomach as I closed down the computer and put my coat on. I couldn’t stop thinking about Sean; I’d liked the way he’d asked about my book, the way he’d smiled nervously and crossed his fingers. I’d liked the fact that, for just a few moments, I’d stopped being invisible.

As I made my way out I was mentally preparing myself for another night sitting on the sofa with a mug of tea and a book when I saw him standing by the lifts.

‘Hi,’ I said as I approached him, trying to appear nonchalant although inside my stomach was doing somersaults.

‘Hello again,’ he said, smiling. ‘Sorry, I didn’t catch your name before.’

‘It’s Maggie.’

‘Maggie,’ he said, looking at me so intently I felt exposed.

‘So how did the interview go?’ I said, trying to draw the attention away from me.

‘Really well,’ he said. ‘I am, as of ten minutes ago, the new Marketing Manager for Jacob & Stanley.’

‘That’s wonderful news,’ I said. ‘Congratulations.’

‘Thanks,’ he said. ‘Though to be honest it was a tough interview. Old man Jacob doesn’t take any prisoners.’

The lift doors opened then and as we stepped inside he turned to me.

‘Where are you headed?’

‘Now? Just home I guess. Why?’