For once, I did as I was told and walked into a small, tidy office. Behind a wide desk, a mop of carrot red hair was bent over a pile of papers so high it almost hid its owner from view. I felt a pang of sympathy. I knew just how she felt. My own hatred of paperwork is so strong that I ignore it till Shelley practically locks me in my office with dire threats of what she’ll do to me if I dare to emerge before it’s finished. It’s just the same at home; if I didn’t force myself to sit down once a month and pay all the bills, the bailiffs would be a permanent fixture on the doorstep.

As the reception door closed behind me, a pale, freckled face looked up. “Hi, can I help you?” she asked in a tired voice.

“I don’t know, but I hope so,” I replied with my most ingratiating smile. “I was wondering if you needed any volunteer workers here right now?”

The tiredness evaporated from her face and she grinned. “Music to my ears!” she exclaimed. “Those are the first good words I’ve heard today. Sit down, make yourself comfortable.” She gestured expansively at the two worn office chairs on my side of the desk. As I settled on the less dilapidated one, she introduced herself. “I’m Jude. I’m one of the project’s three full-time employees. We’re always desperate for volunteers and fund-raisers.” She opened a drawer and took out a long form. “Do you mind if I fill this out while we talk? I know I’m being quick off the mark, but it saves time in the long run if you do decide to help us.”

I shook my head. “No problem. My name’s Kate Barclay.” I knew Richard wouldn’t mind me borrowing his name. After all, he knew I’d never be making the loan permanent.

“And where do you live, Kate?” Jude asked, scribbling furiously. I plucked a number out of the air and attached it to Leeds Road, which I knew was long enough to reduce the chances of her knowing a near neighbor.

We went through the formalities quickly. I told her I’d been working abroad as a teacher and that I’d just moved to Bradford with my boyfriend. I explained I’d heard about the project from the city council’s voluntary services unit and had come along to offer my services. All the while, Jude nodded and wrote on her form. At the end of my recital, she looked up and said, “Have you any experience with this kind of work?”

“Yes. That’s why I came to you. We’ve been living in Antwerp for the last three years and I did some work with a drug rehabilitation charity there,” I lied fluently.