As I arrived at the café, I looked at my watch. There was plenty of time; I was fifteen minutes early. I ordered coffee and sat in the window, just as we’d arranged, and took out my copy of the Times, so that he’d know it was me. I sent him an e-mail to say I was there. I felt like I was going on a blind date and for the first time I felt a bit uneasy.

I’d already checked the links he’d sent me but now I Googled his name. He was on LinkedIn and all his work and educational history were laid out in front of me. There was a photo, too; he was in his late fifties, quite attractive, with an engaging smile. He’d owned a small company for ten years, according to the bio there. I wondered why he was looking for a PA now, then remembered what he’d said about going back to the States. What would happen to his business then?

After half an hour, I was bored and starting to get a bit edgy. I forced myself to relax. I didn’t want to look annoyed when he did turn up. I spent a few minutes rereading my research into his company, then bought a copy of the Manchester Echo from a stand outside and started to look at jobs advertised in the Manchester area. It was forty miles from home and a much bigger city than I was used to. I could live here, I mused. I could live wherever I wanted to. I was ready for a change.

I waited until just before four o’clock, feeling increasingly irritated. Surely he should have the courtesy to call me? I stood to go and a group of businesspeople standing nearby pushed through and took over my table.

I asked for help at the reception desk but the guy working there didn’t have details of any individuals, just organizations who’d booked in. Given that Alan Walker’s business was so small, I wasn’t surprised that the name wasn’t on his list. He checked the meeting rooms, but there wasn’t anything booked in Walker’s name.

“Sometimes people book a room at the last minute,” he said. “It’s first come, first served. Maybe he thought he’d wait until you met up?”

“I suppose so.” But he’d said he would book it in advance. Why hadn’t he done that?

Now the large reception area was full of people coming down from their meetings. I stood by the desk, holding my newspaper and feeling like a fool, but didn’t see him among the crowds. Certainly nobody was lingering; they were all chatting and hurrying for the exits.

Just then my phone beeped. I sighed with relief. It wasn’t the guy about the interview, though; it was Oliver, my neighbor from home.