This was one question she could happily answer, with genuine enthusiasm. ‘Oh yes.’ She sat up straighter. ‘That’s true. I really have no desire to write anything myself, but I would really enjoy polishing someone else’s work so that it really shines. When I worked at the bookshop and used to read as much of the stock as I possibly could, I came across books – self-published ones mainly – that obviously hadn’t had much editing. It really showed me how important editing is. I’d think: this bit would be so much better here, or the writer needed to introduce this character or that much earlier. And then, when I was doing it for the writing course, well I loved it. I see editing as like being a master jeweller: you take a wonderful but uncut stone and polish and work on it until it really shines. The original stone is still the main thing, but now everyone can see its beauty.’

Gerald seemed apologetic. ‘To think I dismissed you because you didn’t live in Ireland! You’re just what I need.’

‘And to think I dismissed you, just because you did! Although I think to begin with the thought of moving to another country seemed like a big thing, but now – well, I might as well live in Ireland as anywhere else.’ A horrible thought made Laura bite her lip anxiously. ‘You don’t just want me because I know Dermot, do you? If I joined you, would you constantly be badgering me to get Dermot to sign up?’

This time he laughed. ‘Indeed no. I was just trying it on with Eleanora. I know my place. But would you really consider it?’ He ran through what would roughly be involved: two to three new authors a year, editing, potential to grow. Laura grew more and more excited as he talked. She couldn’t help herself. It did sound pretty much like her dream job. Before long Laura really wanted to work for Gerald, even if it was in Ireland. After all, Ireland was quite a big place and Dermot would probably spend all his time in the States or somewhere now. But even if he didn’t, they could both live there and never meet up. It would be fine. And somehow despite everything she still felt a soft spot for the country she’d lost her virginity in. ‘But your office is in Dublin, isn’t it?’ she asked.

He acknowledged that it was.

‘And that’s a really expensive place to live?’

He nodded. ‘Yes, but you don’t have to live in Dublin, as long as you could get there once a week or so. You’d need to meet the authors in the office occasionally.’