‘He works for my parents.’ Years of broadcasting experience meant there was no way Summer could outdo me when it came to being faux-friendly. ‘I don’t have a car at the moment and there’s a 70 per cent chance that the trains won’t be running on Monday. If I’d known you were coming, I could have offered you one. As far as I was aware, you were working all week.’

Summer shrugged. ‘An unavoidable emergency came up, so the late-night guy is covering for me.’

‘Right.’ Melody reappeared, ready for business. ‘The boys will take your bags to your rooms. Henry, Baxter says he’s happy for you to join the others in the library, no bundling the staff off to the servants’ quarters at Bigwood. But you will need to wear this.’ She held out a gold jacket. ‘Bea and Summer, you can freshen up in here.’

I followed Summer into a bathroom that was larger than my living room and kitchen combined. Ducking into a cubicle, I quickly stripped off my turquoise coat, stripy jumper, and Mom jeans, stuffing them into the oversized shoulder bag that Mia had lent me. I then slipped into the slinky red dress that also belonged to my sister-in-law. To finish off, I swapped my boots for a pair of glittery gold heels and draped a thin matching scarf around my neck, trying to copy how Mia had shown me.

The outfit was like nothing I’d ever worn before, but circumstances – and Henry – had pushed me into it. Somehow I’d ended up donning a floor-length satin dress with a slit up to my hip and a back that skimmed the top of my sensible knickers. I took a deep breath, adjusted the spaghetti straps, and opened the door. I’d decide whether or not to blame Henry or thank him once I’d got this evening over with.

It had been a strange conversation, huddled on my bed that morning. Once I’d accepted Henry’s offer of a lift, that had left the issue of what I would wear. In addition to this evening’s Max Glam dress code, the email had instructed the candidates to pack clothes that ‘best expressed their vision for the role’.

‘I’ve got nothing suitable for a job interview. My priority when packing was not freezing to death in this attic. I have no idea what my vision for the role would be, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t include corduroy dungarees or an oversized sweatshirt.’ I pulled at my fluffy cardigan in frustration. ‘I’ve not got time to go home and grab something. The best I could hope for is Min Glam, even if I did.’

‘Could you borrow something?’ Henry asked.

‘You think Mum might have a gold tracksuit stashed away somewhere?’

A brief smile flickered across his face. ‘I was thinking more of Mia.’