‘I know, and you still can! You should go to the tech and resit your exams, if it means that much to you. Or why don’t you write to all the airports, saying you’d like to do work experience – any work experience, whether it’s filing paperwork, running the fax machine or scrubbing floors, but get inside the building and let them get to know you, and then ask about opportunities – make it happen, Bessieboo!’

His broad smile was almost enough for her to believe he was right and that it was possible, but there was one big issue that was a whole lot harder to overcome.

‘I could do that, Dad, and I would have done it in a heartbeat if you’d suggested it to me last week, but now?’ She picked at the edge of one of the plasters, working it loose with her fingernail. ‘I know I don’t have the minimum entry-level exams, but it’s more than that. The truth is, I don’t feel like I’m capable.’

‘But you are!’

‘Am I?’

‘Of course you are, you’re smart, and those results . . .’

She shook her head as she interrupted him. ‘I thought I’d done okay; I thought I knew what I was doing – and that’s the problem. Not the actual results, but the fact I had no idea how wide of the mark I was. That’s what makes me feel stupid.’

He stared at her, and she could tell by the flicker of his eyes and his silence that he didn’t know how to answer her.

‘I think you need to not rush into any decision. Let things percolate and see how you feel when the dust has settled, okay, birthday girl?’

Bessie smiled at her dad with an enthusiasm she didn’t feel. ‘Okay, Dad.’

‘And it’s simple, really, Bessie – you either want it badly and will smash the obstacles in your way to make it happen, or you’ll fall and give up. And you’re not a falling-down kind of girl, are you?’

She looked at her refection in the mirror and sat up straight – he was right! Enough moping . . . She had to make it happen!

‘I’m not, Dad.’

‘As I suspected,’ he smiled at her. ‘I’m proud of you – proud of all you’re going to do and all the places you’re going to go.’

‘Thank you!’ She threw her arms around his neck and held him tightly. Her brilliant, brilliant daddy.

‘Right,’ he said with a cough. ‘I’ll leave you to it. You’ve got the rugby club social tonight, haven’t you? I’ll drive you both, pick Michelle up on the way if you like, or is she coming here first?’

‘I’m meeting her there.’

‘Oh well, that’s good. I can put my Dire Straits tape on without you nagging, all embarrassed about me singing along in front of your friend.’