‘Are you sure?’ he says, the thin line of his lips lifting into a tight smile.

‘Yes,’ I say, reaching under the table for my bag. ‘Just give me five minutes to freshen up then we’ll head over.’

‘Thanks, baby,’ he says, kissing my hand. ‘Look at you being all adventurous – it’s a whole new person!’

Inside the Ladies I feel anything but. I stand looking at my reflection in the mirror and my heart sinks. It’s been a long week and it shows in my face. There are dark circles under my eyes and I’ve got premenstrual spots appearing on my cheeks that no amount of Luna London concealer seems to be able to hide. My hair is in need of a wash and the black trouser suit and white T-shirt I hastily dressed in this morning is not really the right look for an evening in a Knightsbridge burlesque club. Still, I think to myself, it will be dark in there and I owe it to Connor to go along with him after running out of the boxing match like that. I want to make it up to him. I add some highlighter to my cheeks, apply some of the new Luna London Ripe Red lipstick and scoop my hair into a chignon. There, I think, that will just have to do.

I walk back through the restaurant, preparing myself mentally for the night ahead, and I’m so lost in thought that I nearly crash into someone coming towards me.

‘Ooh,’ I exclaim as I stumble.

The man grabs my arm to steady me.

‘Sorry, I didn’t see you there,’ he says, a West Country lilt to his voice. ‘Are you okay?’

‘Yes, yes, I’m fine,’ I say, brushing him off.

He says something as he walks away but my focus is fixed on Connor. He is standing outside the window, his phone pressed to his ear. I hurry out to join him, and as I do he ends the call and stuffs the phone in his pocket.

‘Right,’ he says, taking my hand in his. ‘Let’s go and see what this is all about.’

The club is heaving by the time we get there. It’s a small space dominated by velvet sofas and gilt mirrors. A speeded-up remix of Madonna’s ‘Justify My Love’ plays out over the speakers and I see that the DJ, standing in her booth, earphones pressed to her face, is an ex-reality TV contestant. It’s an odd place. I turn to Connor to point out the famous DJ but he’s already making his way over to what looks like the VIP area on the other side of the room. He stops halfway and gestures at me to follow him.