The party starts at eight and we arrive at half past. I’m grateful that Olivia no longer makes me be present at our parties from the outset to greet everyone as they arrive, like she used to when she first started working for me. Luckily, she soon saw how awkward that was for all concerned. In some ways, walking into a huge room full of people is harder, but in other ways it’s much easier. If I arrive later, everyone has a drink in their hand and has usually found an old colleague or friend to talk to, so most of them are less bothered about talking to me. Some come along to try to do business with me in a very direct way, which always appals me as I never know how to react. But it seems to me that for most of the people who come, these events are really about the free champagne. It costs the company a fortune but, according to Olivia, the PR people, and the accountants who know more about these things than me, these twice-yearly events are worth it for the ‘goodwill’, whatever that means. So I take them at their word and grin and bear it. Or bear it, anyway.

The car draws up outside the museum and the driver gets out and opens the door for us.

‘Ready?’ Olivia says.

I groan. ‘As I’ll ever be.’

‘It’s two hours of your life. Maximum three. Try and enjoy it.’

‘You know I won’t. I never do.’ I arrange my face into a fixed smile. ‘Better?’ I ask.

She sighs. ‘Kind of. Come on, let’s get inside.’

As soon as we’re through the door, a wall of noise hits me. How can anyone enjoy this? A couple of sweaty-looking men in cheap suits and name badges approach me straight away and shake my hand. One of them starts talking at me about some hotel his group has acquired and how it would be a brilliant fit for us. I am looking at him, smiling and nodding occasionally but I’m not listening. I hate all this and I’m no good at it. I’m much happier doing business by email – even a phone call somewhat fills me with dread. I want to go home.

‘Do you think it could be of interest?’ he pushes.

‘Possibly,’ I say vaguely, having absolutely no idea because I have no clue what he said. I stopped listening before the end of his first sentence, and I can’t stand being put on the spot like this anyway. I pass him my card. ‘Can you email my secretary and we’ll have a look? As I’m sure you understand, these decisions aren’t made in an instant. Or, in all honesty, by me usually. I just sign them off.’ I have rehearsed this line. Olivia came up with it for me.