I set up some alerts for any new listings going live, and tried to avoid even considering moving into a flat-share. I didn’t want to put that out in the universe; it would feel like a step back after everything that had happened. There had to be another way. Everything I came up with, though, seemed to indicate that even if I did want to retrain in something, or take a career break, I basically couldn’t afford it. Still. I didn’t want to get greedy – like Patrick had said, plenty of people didn’t love their work. I told myself that as long as I had my health, my friends and family – and Patrick himself – that was more than enough.

I still kept checking for information evenings, though. I couldn’t help it. The thought had burrowed itself deep in my head.

‘We’ll figure something out,’ Patrick assured me when I brought it up in bed. My boss, Chen, had texted asking to meet up for a coffee before I started back, and it had put the willies up me. Adzo said I had nothing to worry about, but suddenly I was worried I’d end up losing my job anyway, somehow. Chen had never asked me for a coffee before – I wondered if I was going to get a talking-to, because she could tell somehow that my heart wasn’t in it anymore.

‘I won’t see you on the streets – put it that way,’ Patrick continued. ‘Worst-case scenario, you can bunk up with me for a bit, okay?’

‘Crikey,’ I said. ‘I couldn’t do that. You’d get so sick of me!’

He shrugged. ‘It’s cool,’ he replied. ‘We know we can spend twenty-four hours a day together. The option is there.’

Mum would have a fit if I moved in with Patrick, even if it was temporary. It was one thing coming home with a boyfriend, but living with him? No way.

‘Are you sure you want to meet my family tomorrow?’ I pressed, for the third time. ‘They’re bonkers. You really don’t have to. I can pick up the dog alone and meet you after.’

He pulled me in close, my night-time nakedness pressed up against his.

‘Are you ashamed of me?’ he asked, jokingly.

‘I’m nervous they’ll spot your cargo shorts in the holiday snaps,’ I quipped back. ‘I’ve got my reputation to think about.’

‘What’s wrong with my cargo shorts?’

I sniggered. ‘Nothing … if you’re planning on joining an All Saints tribute band.’

‘Rude!’ He laughed.

I shrugged, as if the truth couldn’t be denied.

‘I want to meet them, anyway,’ he declared. ‘I promise you, parents love me. I’m very wholesome to mums. I’m like boyfriend catnip.’

‘Hmmmm,’ I said, my tummy lurching. ‘Just … don’t take it personally if she doesn’t. It’s me she doesn’t like, remember.’