I am sat in bed, reluctant to start my Friday even though it’s nearly ten o’clock and Anya will be here at any minute to start cleaning the house, when my mobile rings. I check the screen, expecting it to be either Sadie or Rupert – after all, they are the only people who call me these days; Mags doesn’t have my new number and I haven’t heard from my mum since before the wedding, despite emailing her the photos – and when I see who it is my heart does a little leap in my chest. It’s Angus Beaton, calling from The Children’s Trust. I give a tiny yelp of excitement, pressing my hand to my mouth before smoothing back my curls, even though I know Angus can’t see me.

‘Hello?’ I inject a question into my voice, even though I have Angus’s number memorized, and I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for him to call me.

‘Ahhh… Mrs Milligan? Emily?’ He sounds different on the phone to how he does in real life, almost nervous.

‘Yes, this is Emily. Angus, how lovely to hear from you.’ I shift slightly in the bed, before pushing back the duvet and swinging my legs out, a shiver of anticipation running down my spine. I feel as though I’ve been waiting weeks for Angus to call, spending hours walking in the park, and doing class after class of yoga (although not at the one Sadie goes to) in an effort to pass the time every day. It feels wrong now to be lounging in bed when I hear whether Angus will let me come and work for him. I stand, pulling my long T-shirt down over my knickers, a faint chill about my legs where the heating has gone off.

‘Sorry it’s taken me a while to get back to you, I had a number of factors to consider, you understand?’ He sounds more confident now, more like the man I met in the office.

‘Of course, it’s no problem. I understand. I know I don’t have a lot of experience, but I am willing to learn, and as I said to you before, my husband is very committed to The Children’s Trust.’ I hold my breath, waiting for his response. I’m still not too sure why this charity is so important to Rupert, why he donates such a large amount to them every month; all I know is that if I can tell him I’m going to be working there I’m sure he’ll be pleased. He’ll understand that I’m doing the very best I can to fit in with what is important to him.

‘Listen, Emily, you were very impressive when you came to see me. Very impressive indeed…’