I’m so engrossed that before I know it two hours have passed. I can hear voices downstairs. You must be home. I put the book down and walk out on to the landing but it’s not your voice I hear, it’s another woman’s, half obscured by a crackling radio. Dad is with her. His voice is shaking. The woman asks him if he’d like to sit down.

10. Then

We wait until the Americans are safely in the lift before letting out a collective squeal of delight. The presentation went better than I could have expected and Luna London has now acquired Loris International as a major new client.

‘Gosh, well done, everyone,’ says Anne, taking a bottle of champagne from the tiny fridge in the corner of her office and bringing it over to the table. ‘Six months of blood, sweat and tears, and look what we’ve achieved. I’m bloody proud of each and every one of you.’

She opens the bottle and as it pops there’s another round of applause from the team. Anne looks thrilled as she hands us all a large glass of fizz.

‘You were amazing today, Vanessa,’ she says, coming to sit next to me. ‘Your knowledge of the US cosmetics market shone through. You could see how impressed they were. Brilliant. Bloody brilliant.’

‘Thanks, Anne,’ I say, feeling heady as I take a long sip of champagne. ‘I put everything into this presentation. I’m just so glad it went well.’

‘Great choice of outfit too,’ says Anne, gesturing to the silk shift dress Connor picked out for me last week. ‘I must say, I’ve noticed a change in you these last few months. You’re looking great. You’ve got more confidence. It’s like you’re blossoming in front of my eyes. It’s wonderful to see. It really is.’

‘Thanks,’ I say again, feeling rather emotional. ‘That means such a lot coming from you.’

‘I think I know the reason why you look so good, Vanessa.’

I turn to see Damian, beaming at me from the other side of the table, his champagne glass held aloft.

‘She’s found the love of a good man,’ he says, laughing.

‘Oh,’ says Anne, smiling awkwardly. As a lifelong champion of women, it’s not her nature to think that success stems from being with the right man. ‘Well, you’ve certainly made us all proud here, Vanessa. Well done.’

She gets up and walks across to Colette, her PA, who has appeared at the door with Anne’s diary.

‘Hey, I didn’t mean to embarrass you there,’ says Damian, sitting down in the chair she has just vacated. ‘And Anne’s right. You did a brilliant job today. I can’t believe it. You’ve actually brought money in for once. Just kidding.’

‘Thanks, Damian,’ I say, draining my glass. ‘And, you know, you’re right about Connor. We’re really happy.’