They chatted a few minutes more, Flynn telling her an amusing story about one of his customers which made her chuckle and wonder, yet again, whether sales wouldn’t be the ideal job for her.

After yet another restless night, Jodie dragged herself from her bed and thought about cancelling the meeting with the recruitment consultant but the thought of a long day doing nothing was more exhausting. A few mugs of strong coffee and a long cool shower perked her up a little and with the idea that she had nothing to lose by going, she dressed in smarter-than-usual clothes, left the house and walked briskly to the train station.

It was rush hour, the train packed with commuters of all ages but it was the men of a certain age who attracted Jodie’s intent gaze. Any one of them could be Victor. In St Pancras International, she stopped and pretended to use her mobile while the commuters swarmed around her, parting and joining again, intent on their destination. Apart from one woman who glared at Jodie for standing in her way, nobody gave her a passing glance. With a shake of her head at her paranoia, she pocketed her phone and walked on.

The recruitment agency was, conveniently, a short walk from St Pancras station and Jodie was outside the office at five minutes to the agreed 10am meeting. With nervous excitement blanketing her worry about Victor, she pushed open the door into a tiny reception area and was immediately directed down a long echoing corridor.

Nate Bisby, a short, plump man with unusually pale skin and a bad comb-over, greeted her at the door of his office, holding out his hand and taking hers in a firm grip. ‘Thank you for coming, come in, sit. Would you like some coffee?’ When she shook her head, he waved her to a seat and sat behind his desk.

‘We’ve recruited a number of nurses as sales representatives,’ he said, sitting with his hands clasped across his chest. ‘Your employment history working in operating theatres would fit perfectly. It’s a little unfortunate it was abroad.’ He shook his head. ‘This business, you see, it’s all about contacts, getting your foot in the door. If you’d worked in hospitals here, you’d know people. Anaesthetists,’ he added, as if feeling the need to spell it out.

Jodie smiled. ‘There was an active social community in Dubai. When I came back to the UK, I joined the Ex-Expats Club and keep in regular contact with some of the people I used to work with. Including–’ her smile broadened ‘–several anaesthetists who work in London hospitals.’

Bisby’s face lit up. ‘Excellent! That improves your chances dramatically.’ He unclasped his hands and tapped his fingers on the desk. ‘They’re looking for someone to start as soon as possible. How much notice do you need to give in your current position?’