She’d allowed thirty minutes extra time for delays which hadn’t occurred. Locating the headquarters building, she checked the time again, then looked around for somewhere to wait. A café across the street seemed the perfect solution. She sat with a cappuccino and kept her eyes on the front door of the building, hoping to catch a glimpse of Flynn coming or going. She gathered he didn’t spend much time in the office, but she might be lucky.

At five to the hour, she stood, straightened her jacket and backbone, left the café, and dashed through the traffic to the front door of the office building.

Inside, a glossy reception area held several chairs and a desk staffed by one elegant woman of indeterminate age who looked up from her computer as Jodie approached.

‘I have an appointment with Graham Barker.’

The woman looked at a clipboard on her desk. ‘You must be Jodie Armstrong. Welcome to London Medical.’ She indicated the chairs behind with a wave of beautifully manicured fingernails. ‘Please, take a seat and I’ll tell him you’re here.’

Jodie had barely sat before a door to one side opened and an attractive man with grey-streaked dark hair and a disarming smile crossed to her with his hand extended.

‘Ms Armstrong, welcome to London Medical.’

His grip was firm and dry. She felt the tension ease and managed a smile in return. ‘Thank you.’

‘My office is on the next floor, if you’ll follow me.’

He made small talk about the weather and her journey from Gravesend as they waited for the lift. She tried to think of something intelligent and clever to say but couldn’t think of anything more interesting than there’d been no delays.

‘Good, good,’ he said, waving her ahead of him into the lift when it arrived, and out on the first floor. ‘Through here.’

The office was large and bright. Jodie sat on the chair indicated, dropped her bag to the floor, then hurriedly picked it up to take out the pen and notepad she’d brought, dropping it again, feeling a little flustered.

Graham Barker was rocking his swivel chair slightly. ‘Why don’t you tell me about yourself.’

I had a child when I was fourteen and I think I’m being stalked by the man responsible. The thought almost made her smile, and it did make her relax. ‘I qualified as a nurse sixteen years ago. I spent several years working in operating theatres in Dubai and got to know several anaesthetists there who I’ve stayed friendly with. It was their idea that I should pursue a position as a sales representative.’ It was a lie, but he’d never know that. She spoke about her time in Dubai, her decision to come back to the UK and her desire for a change in career.

Barker nodded encouragingly throughout.