‘George told me yesterday.’

‘What else did George tell you?’ I can’t help snapping, recalling the conversation I had overheard. My suspicion he might want to section me.

‘Leah! George asked me to keep an eye on you, that’s all.’

‘Sorry.’ I quickly gather myself. ‘I would have told you about the letter but George thinks a journalist must have sent it to stir things up, but if he’s talked to you he must believe that—’

‘He didn’t give the impression you’re in any danger.’ She second-guesses what I’m thinking. ‘More that he’s worried about you. We both are. We know how… fraught you become this time of year and twenty years is quite a big deal.’

‘It’ll be over soon,’ I say.

‘Three days.’

I flash her a look. ‘Why did you say that?’

‘Because there are only three days until the anniversary, aren’t there?’

‘God, sorry. Yes. I got another letter that said three days. It’s rattled me but I’m okay.’ I force a brief, tight smile. ‘They’ll keep on coming until the anniversary, I suppose.’ I keep my voice low, not wanting anyone else to hear. ‘You haven’t told anyone else about the letter?’

‘Of course not. The only gossip here is Barry and Janet and the amount of time they spend in the stationery cupboard. You must be going… I’ve noticed…’ Tash raises her hands and wiggles her fingers.

‘It’s eczema.’ I place my gloved hands on my lap, out of sight under my desk.

‘You don’t need to bullshit me, Leah,’ she says.

‘I know.’ This time my smile comes naturally. ‘Let’s have a night out next week when all this is over.’

‘I’m not sure I can afford it.’ Tash fiddles with a button. After a beat she asks, ‘Have you decided what you’re going to do about Lionel’s offer? It’s just that if you don’t want the extra hours I could really use them.’

‘I thought you liked having Fridays off?’

‘I did. I do. I could just use the extra cash right now.’

‘Is everything okay?’ She looks pale. Dark rings under her eyes. I can’t remember the last time she came over to dinner. It’s not easy to talk in this open-plan office.

‘I’m fine,’ she says.

‘Good. Look, sorry, but I think I might have to take those extra hours.’ I feel awful but I was here before her. ‘George’s business isn’t going so well and—’

‘I thought you’d be raking it in with your book?’ She looks shocked as the words blurt from her lips. ‘I didn’t mean… God, sorry. I thought George was stressed yesterday but I assumed…’

‘You thought it was just because of me?’ I shake my head. ‘It’s probably a mixture of everything.’

My phone rings, it’s Lionel.

I lift the receiver, and hold it slightly away from my head, taking care not to let the plastic touch my ear or mouth.

After a brief conversation I put the handset back in the cradle three times before I let it go. ‘I need to go out and run a few errands.’ I open my drawer and pull out the company’s bank card. ‘Want anything, Tash?’