‘What do you think?’ she presses. ‘No, actually, that’s not fair of me, putting you on the spot like that. Think about it, okay?’ She bends to retrieve her handbag from the floor.

‘I think I might be interested.’ I inhale and give her a cautious smile.

Sally echoes my smile. ‘I knew you would be! Great!’ She reaches into her bag and pulls out a bunch of forms, taking the top one and handing it to me. ‘Here’s an application form. But you can also apply via our website if you prefer. Remember, the deadline is Wednesday. Interviews will be held in two weeks’ time, and the job start date is September.’

‘Thank you.’ I take the form, fold it in two and stuff it into the back pocket of my jeans. I have the feeling that this is one of those life-changing times. One of those events where I’ll look back in ten years and say this was the moment that launched my career, my life.

My heart beats faster as I consider the opportunity before me.

Eight

NOW

‘Come on, you two. Out you get!’ I chivvy the kids along. Why do they always take so long getting out of the car? I prefer walking to school, but in typical Monday-morning style we overslept this morning, so had no choice other than to drive if we wanted to avoid being late. Plus, I wanted to get to the playground at a reasonable time so that I could catch Madeline. But with the time it took to scrape the ice off the windscreen and then the nightmare parking, we may as well have walked.

Once Alice and Jamie are on the pavement with their backpacks over their shoulders, I slam the door to my blue Vauxhall Corsa and click the lock. I’m still no closer to finding out why Madeline’s avoiding me. And I didn’t have the courage to ask Toby what she was doing with him in our house last week. I gave him every opportunity to tell me about it. I said what a shame it was that he and I couldn’t meet for lunch that day, but he just compounded his lie by apologising for being so busy at work. There’s definitely something going on, but I’m not in the right frame of mind to deal with it. I feel so wobbly at the moment. Fragile.

The kids and I hurry along the icy roads to school. It looks like the gates opened ages ago. Most of the parents have dropped off their kids and are leaving already.

‘Hi, Zoe!’ I turn to see a couple of the mums, Ellen and Liz, with their three kids and adorable chocolate lab.

‘Boots!’ Alice runs to give him a hug.

‘Come on, Alice, you’re going to be late.’ But I can’t resist stroking Boots either.

‘Hi, Ellen, Liz. You okay?’