‘So, shall I check the film timings for tonight?’ asked Claire getting out of bed.

‘Hey, where are you going?’ replied Chris, reaching for her.

‘I think I’ve spent enough time in bed today!’

‘Never! It’s too late for the cinema now anyway. The boys are already watching a film downstairs, which means…’ said Chris and as he pulled her towards him, Claire sank into his arms, their lips meeting, their argument forgotten.

11

‘Your eleven o’clock is here, Claire,’ announced Elaine down the phone.

Claire checked her watch. Fifteen minutes early.

‘Thanks, Elaine – can you let Greg and Chloe know? And show Rose through to the meeting room at eleven.’

‘Will do.’

Claire had been reading a message from Linda, which she’d sent the day before about their night out the previous Saturday.

Thanks so much for inviting me! It’s great having a social life again &cepha_unknown_entity_wingdings_F04A; It was nice to meet your husband, albeit briefly, and please tell Joshua thank you for babysitting!

Unfortunately, Claire hadn’t enjoyed the night out as much as Linda because at the last minute, Chris had roped Joshua into babysitting for the two boys while Chris went out. Claire had tried to tell herself it wasn’t a big deal and she knew rationally that it wasn’t. It was just the fact that Chris had committed to doing something and then done a U-turn so he could meet his colleague Andy for a drink.

‘He’s going through a rough time, Claire, and I said I’d meet up with him for swift pint,’ Chris had explained. ‘Joshua will keep an eye over everything for a few hours, won’t you, mate?’

Claire had then had to tell Linda about the change in plan, that it would be Joshua not Chris looking after the boys. Linda had been fine with it but still. She’d had to let it pass, but later that evening as she’d stood in the wine bar with Linda and Julia and the rest of her friends, she’d felt irritated.

Turning her attention back to her upcoming meeting, Claire picked up the Rose Aiker file. She’d reread it earlier that morning when she’d come into the office. Chris, true to his word, had agreed to drop Jamie off at school three mornings a week, which meant she could get into the office earlier on those days. Despite not being a morning person, she liked to get a head start on the day. Waking up was tough, but once she was out of bed and in the shower, it was all downhill from there.