‘Keep one thought in your mind, Alex.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Her dad won’t always be around, or have the influence, to protect her. His friendship with the CEO worked in Danielle’s favour and she burned that opportunity. She might not be as protected wherever she goes next.’

‘That’s true.’ I suck in a deep therapeutic breath. ‘OK, that’s just how it is. The main thing is, she’s gone. And so is her little sidekick. I now need to focus on all the wonderful colleagues I have next door.’

‘You do.’ Emmanuel smiles warmly. ‘Shall we go back and join them?’

‘Definitely.’

As we get up and leave the room, I switch off the lights and close the door firmly behind me, treating it as a symbolic moment. I’m shutting Danielle and all the trouble she caused inside and it’s not coming out again… ever.

Chapter 35

Six weeks later

‘Where are we going tonight? Come on, please tell me.’ I playfully wrestle with Matt’s hand while we’re enjoying a Saturday morning lie-in together.

‘Are you completely incapable of enjoying the mystery?’ He affectionately traps my hand under his and I find myself stuck. ‘It’s a surprise.’

‘I don’t do mystery. I do plans. Perfectly executed plans.’

‘Then you need to learn to live a little.’

Matt lets go of my hand and kisses my nose. I wrinkle it up to express my disapproval of his statement.

‘How about I make you breakfast in bed?’ he suggests. ‘Then we can snuggle up and enjoy a box set marathon. Save our energy for tonight.’

‘Why, what’s going to take so much energy?’

‘You are relentless, Lex.’ Laughing, he untangles himself from me and gets out of bed.

‘Some would argue it’s one of my best features.’

‘Your best feature can also be your worst.’

I stick my tongue out at him as he makes his way through to the kitchen.

‘Yoghurt and granola? And a cup of tea?’ he calls to me, moments later.

‘Perfect. Will it just be you and me? Or are we meeting the others?’

His head appears round the door frame, exasperated grin plastered across his gorgeous face. ‘Let it go. Or you’ll be enjoying a solo box set marathon today.’

I make a show of huffing loudly. ‘Fine.’

He disappears back into the kitchen and I lie back, losing myself in my thoughts. How lucky I’ve been that everything has fallen back into place. Work has been amazing. I’ve been treated with nothing but respect – by everyone. And Danielle no longer being there makes it so much better. Every workplace comes with its challenges, but now they’re the kind of challenges I expect.

While I never thought I’d be comfortable with people knowing about my MS, it has actually made things easier. I no longer have to lug around my big sack of a secret. I share what I’m comfortable sharing. Make light of it when I bump myself on a table leg or my concentration dips. It’s there, but it’s not seen as a big deal. I’ve also carried on with the leadership programme after Emmanuel persuaded me to stick with it – but with no firm obligations in relation to career advancement. She knows how much I thrive on professional development.