‘Oh well… yes, there really is a problem,’ she stammered, her cheeks burning. Ezra not wanting to go to sleep was hardly a matter of life or death, but now she’d made up her mind, she was desperate to leave. ‘Please, James. I’ve got to go. I didn’t think we’d be out this late, and if Matt finds out where I’ve been, he’ll kill me.’

James’s eyebrows shot up his forehead. ‘I’m sure it wouldn’t be that drastic.’ He huffed out an impatient breath. ‘This really is not ideal. Alan is an important supplier and I can’t piss him off.’

The walls closed in around her, and she suddenly felt vulnerable. She was a long way from home, with people she didn’t know, in a situation she was far from comfortable with. As far as she was aware, given the conversations that she’d eavesdropped on, very little business had been discussed. Maybe that would come later, after dinner. The thought of having to stay any longer brought sudden tears to her eyes.

James softened then and let go of her wrist. ‘Okay, I suppose I should have been clearer about times. My fault. At least he enjoyed talking to you, so maybe your job here is done.’

He led her to the lifts, went down to the foyer with her and waited until a taxi arrived, before saying goodbye with an unexpected kiss on the cheek. Sara blushed, very aware of the musky scent of his aftershave, his beard tickling her skin, the whisper of his breath on her face. It made her shiver, brought a surge of unwanted feelings fizzing through her.

‘I’ve got some follow-up work to do, so I won’t be in the office for a few days now,’ he said. ‘But we’re pretty much up to date, aren’t we?’

She nodded, desperate to get back to her own little world.

When she got home, having changed out of her dress at the community centre, the bedroom light was on and she found Ezra sitting in bed with Matt, reading his favourite storybook.

She stopped in the doorway, her heart filled with a rush of love. This is where I belong. A new resolve sparked inside her. I’ve got to talk to James about our deal. I can’t do this again.

She went and sat on the bed, Matt’s face breaking into a relieved smile.

‘How was your night?’ he asked as Ezra snuggled up to her, wrapping his arms round her neck. ‘I saw Fiona at football, and she told me what was going on. She said it was her fault. Apologised for taking you away on a Thursday.’