Colin smiled and sat back in the seat alongside her, crossing his hands over his chest. ‘So, that’s how you have to think about these albums. Because I can tell you that if your dear old dad was a collector at one point – that is how he thought about those vinyls when he was tracking them down and buying them. To him they were like exquisite hand-made accessories.’

Penny nodded as the point hit home – she hadn’t thought of it like that.

‘I understand. I had no idea you were so knowledgeable about this stuff, though.’

Colin ran a hand through his shaggy hair that was by now badly in need of a trim. ‘I’m a novelist my dear – research is my forte. So let’s review what we have already learned,’ he said, returning his attention to Penny’s computer screen. ‘You begin your search by looking for mint condition, first edition Beatles albums. Then you need to verify that it is a UK pressing. The record has to come with the glossy jacket. No gatefold covers. Shrink-wrap or the words ‘never played’ are another bonus. Avoid anything that says that it was made for jukeboxes. Those are easy to spot by the great big holes in the centre. And if the listing mentions anything about “original stickers” that’s good too . . .’

Penny nodded, taking it all in. It was as if she was navigating a strange land and Colin was her compass.

When Elle looked at her sketch the next morning, it took her a while to remember when she had done it. She almost felt that it hadn’t been drawn by her own hand. It was almost spooky. But she couldn’t deny that it was accurate.

Looking at it closely, a tiny idea began to creep into her mind. Little by little, this idea grew larger and larger, until it was all she could think about.

Later, arriving at work, she walked straight into her manager’s office and sat down for a very long and frank conversation. He was disappointed but resigned and eventually agreed to Elle’s request for a further period of leave. Until the end of the summer, they decided. She was a dedicated worker, and an asset to the company. This was the first time she’d asked for anything and she was relieved her boss had recognised that. Because she didn’t know quite what she’d have done if he hadn’t. She wasn’t quite ready to give up city life, but one thing was clear, she needed time out.