Sara sighed, wondering if Fiona had misunderstood. ‘Well, she has her own ideas, doesn’t she? Realistically, I can only work part-time until we see what happens with this new venture of Matt’s. If that takes off, well, maybe we can afford childcare for Ezra.’ She shrugged. ‘That’s how it is.’

‘And I thought the two of you were trying to oust me.’ He gave a brittle laugh. ‘A coup.’

‘I wouldn’t ever try and take someone’s job from them,’ she said firmly. ‘If you wanted to leave, that would be different. But as far as I’m concerned, you’re my boss and that’s how it’s going to stay.’

He’d put his mug down, looking thoughtful. ‘To be honest, I have no idea what I want at the moment.’ He sighed. ‘That’s my problem, you see. And Dad’s not sure either. He doesn’t want to let go of running his business – believes he’s the only person in the world who understands sportswear – but he knows he’s not really up to it. At the same time, though, I don’t want to stop working here just yet. I know I don’t make a fortune, but that’s not the point.’ She noticed his eyes then, how they lit up when he talked about the community centre, how his voice brightened. ‘It’s such a vibrant place, so many different things going on and so many opportunities to help develop and support the local area.’ He shrugged. ‘It’s my baby.’

She understood then how much the community centre and the work he did there meant to him. As far as she was aware – having had little opportunity for chats about their personal lives – he was single with no children, and she could see how it could become the focus of his world, his raison d’être.

‘Working here is quite addictive, isn’t it?’ she said as she offered him the packet of biscuits. ‘Such a happy place. Lots of positive vibes.’

James smiled at her. He was attractive when he smiled, she thought; when his eyes crinkled at the corners and the frown lines were wiped clean.

‘You fit in very well. And all these new ideas of yours have got the board very excited.’ He pulled a face as he took a biscuit, waving it in the air as he spoke. ‘Mind you, I’m not so keen on Fiona using them to demonstrate how lazy I’ve become. Do you know, I overheard her telling the secretary exactly that before the last meeting? Cheek of the woman.’ He took a bite of his biscuit, looked her straight in the eye. ‘I feel I can trust you to manage when I’m not here, though. You’re a quick learner and the clients clearly like you.’