She pushed open the door and went in, cheeks burning. ‘You two are early,’ she said, forcing a cheeriness into her voice, while her stomach churned, her nerves starting to get the better of her. She needed this to work out, needed them to trust her to take on more responsibility. ‘Can I get you a drink?’

Fiona flashed her a quick smile. ‘That would be lovely. Coffee for me. And you, James?’

He nodded, his face pinched and Sara had the feeling he was annoyed. She grabbed their mugs and headed back to the kitchen, willing the universe to come to her aid and give her a break. She’d just finished reading a book by Deepak Chopra about sending out positive vibes if you wanted positive things to happen, and although she couldn’t wholeheartedly commit to his philosophy, or understand the quantum physics of his explanation, she felt she had to give everything a try. She stopped for a moment and took a deep breath, told herself not to second-guess other people’s conversations, and by the time she returned to the meeting room, her resolve had returned.

Fiona and James were sitting next to each other now, the paperwork cleared into a neat pile, and Fiona motioned for Sara to sit on the opposite side of the table. She carefully put the mugs down, and smoothed her skirt before settling in her seat, feeling like she was at an interview. This was so much more formal than she’d anticipated, and she could feel damp patches appearing under her arms.

‘Now, Sara,’ Fiona began. ‘We’ve been having a look through the finances, something we should have done weeks ago, if I’m honest.’ She gave James a sideways glance and he scowled. It was a dig at him, a suggestion he wasn’t on top of things. Maybe that was what they were talking about? Not me at all. Sara tried to make herself look more relaxed, forcing her shoulders back and unclasping her hands. ‘And we’ve had a chat about James’s situation, which he assures me will be clarified in the next couple of months.’

James’s jaw hardened and he folded his arms across his chest, angling his body away from Fiona. ‘It’s not easy getting my father to accept this change in his health. Have a heart, will you? I can’t push him to step down. It’s going to take a doctor’s advice to make him finally bow out. In the meantime, I’m doing what I can to juggle the two jobs.’