I had no excuse – no matter how packed my brain was with information for the security of this country, no matter how much I needed to try and keep track of childcare arrangements for Gigi and worry she was getting everything she needed, I should be able to spare a thought for Will. And at least listen when he tells me about the large shipping case that he just won against the . . . I want to say pirates but that can’t be right. Pirates? Is he tricking me? I focused back on what Will was saying and heard the word ‘Sumatra’. Oh, right, that made more sense. Captain Pugwash holding a machine gun seemed a little out there. Wasn’t Captain Pugwash another one on the shit list as being an inappropriate character for children to read?

‘Right, Lex?’

Shit, I’d zoned out again. Bloody Pugwash.

‘Yes, totally.’

‘So you really think I should do it?’

‘Yes. It’s a great opportunity.’ See, I could be supportive.

‘You think I should leave for sea and become a pirate?’

‘Haha. I knew you were joking. Oh, we have fun, don’t we?’

He gave me a look. ‘You aren’t going to tell me about your day?’

He was distracted by my phone ringing.

We both looked over at it.

I could see the 0845 number that was calling. ‘I’m sorry. I have to take it.’

I stood up and walked away from the table. I heard the automated voice tell me, ‘Have you ever been missold PPI insurance?’ I waited for the beep and said, ‘Lex Tyler’ as the voice recognition listened. I knew what was coming. ‘You are required on an urgent operation. Please confirm attendance.’ The beep sounded and I spoke. ‘Confirmed. ETA twenty.’

I turned back to the table. ‘You know I have to go in when we’re on high alert. It will probably be a late one.’

He slumped back in his chair and folded his arms. ‘Just go.’

‘Love you.’ I took two slices of pizza out the box, grabbed my motorbike helmet from the hallway and left. I felt bad that I was relieved to be going. Relieved to be walking out of an uncomfortable conversation and into what could be a dangerous operation. Was it a sign of how bad my marriage currently was, or how much I loved my job?

*

‘You need to go to a fashion show,’ was how Pixie greeted me as I entered the meeting room. Pixie and Geraint were next to each other at the head of the large dining table, their laptops in front of them.

‘This is what I got called in for?’