‘I’ve been plotting.’ I grin mischievously. ‘It’s a surprise though.’

‘Oh, come on. You can tell me.’

‘Nope. This one is between me and the karaoke compère. You’ll have to wait.’

‘Bah humbug.’ Sasha pouts at me, but I know she’s grudgingly respecting my silence on this.

I decide a swift change of subject is needed. ‘So, other stuff. We need some shoes to go with that stunning dress of yours.’

My diversion works a treat.

‘I can’t wait to try on my bridesmaid dress again. It’s just sooo gorgeous,’ Sasha gushes. ‘What were you thinking? I wondered about strappy silver, bit of bling as a contrast to the teal?’

‘And that’s why I love you.’ I pull her in for a sideways hug, trying to ignore the fact that my body feels like a lead weight. ‘Exactly what I was thinking.’

Back at our Anderston-based office, after a quick shower and change we head in opposite directions, an afternoon of wedding shoe shopping synced in our smartphone calendars for the coming weekend.

As I hurry along the fourth-floor corridor to my project meeting, I pass a few colleagues from the marketing department where Sasha works, and offer polite greetings as I go. My legs feel heavy, my muscles still complaining, making me wonder if Sasha’s right. Maybe I should take a short break from running – just for a week, til I’m over my cold. Don’t want to risk putting myself out of the game even longer by being stubborn. That would get in the way of me reaching my goal weight for my big day.

I reach the meeting room and discover that my project team are already there.

‘Hi, everyone.’ I grin as I scan each face in the room. ‘Great timing, as ever. You really do like to make me look bad.’

There’s a collective chuckle in response.

‘How are we all?’ I half-glance at them as I haul my laptop and project documents out of my overfilled bag. As I do, my hand seems to slip, and my papers make a dramatic bid for escape, scattering across the carpeted floor.

‘Dammit,’ I curse, bending to pick them up. ‘Sorry guys. Let me sort these and we’ll get started.’ Two members of my project team rush forward to help me.

‘Afternoon, Alex.’ An affable female voice comes from behind me. ‘Good to see you in control as always.’

I stand up quickly, feeling the protest in my aching thigh muscles as I do, and turn to face my boss. ‘Laura, hi. Didn’t see you there. Are you joining us?’

‘Thought I would today.’ She smiles supportively at me. ‘Get a feel for how things are coming along. That OK with you?’

‘Of course.’ I gesture to the only empty seat round the table. ‘Make yourself comfortable. Some great progress we can share with you. The team have been at it hard, and the results are really showing.’

I beam round the room at my fifteen-strong project team, who are mirroring my gesture, appreciative of the good press in front of the big boss.