Clara seemed to accept this and went back to playing with Buttercup while Jo went to the bathroom to wash off the face mask and rinse the conditioning treatment from her hair.

There was nothing wrong with wanting to look every inch the professional. Both Libby and Erin had loved her outfit choice. When she had dropped Paddy back to the pub, both women were clearly patiently waiting for her return and both were giving her what appeared to be very close to a death stare.

‘You should’ve phoned me as soon as you got the email,’ Libby had said. ‘I’m so excited for you. What did it say?’

‘Never mind the email,’ Erin had cut in. ‘Tell me about this Lorcan fellah. I hear he was here at lunchtime and you didn’t even let me know! Kate told me after the lunch rush, but you were already gone. Spill the dirt, lady!’

‘And I hear you’ve been shopping for something to wear tomorrow. Do you need a second opinion?’ Libby had asked.

Both women were like overexcited puppy dogs, vying for her attention.

‘Yes,’ Erin had said. ‘I need to see this outfit. How about we go over to Libby’s flat and you can give us a fashion show.’

‘And tell us what the email said,’ Libby had pressed.

‘And about Lorcan,’ Erin had added.

Jo had known there was no way she was getting away from them without answering their questions, and showing them her suit, so she had simply nodded her agreement.

As she had walked to the back office to collect her bags, she’d realised that she felt excited. Very excited actually. Something was happening in her life. A few things, actually, and she didn’t have to be scared of it all. She could embrace it and trust faith to bring her where she needed to be.

That’s what Auntie Mags would tell her anyway.

So she’d managed to smile and pose as she’d walked out of Libby’s bedroom twenty minutes later to oohs and aahs from her friends.

‘That. Is. Stunning,’ Erin had said.

‘The colour!’ Libby had gushed. ‘It brings out your eyes, and your hair and you just look beautiful.’

‘I’d snog you,’ Erin had added. ‘You know, if I was that way inclined.’

‘Thanks. I think,’ Jo had replied. ‘I do love the suit. It was way more money than I wanted to spend, but I figured it was worth it.’

‘Oh, it totally was,’ Libby had agreed. ‘You’ll make an impression on Mr McLachlan for sure. Although, by the sounds of it, you already have. I’m so thrilled for you.’