It seems I’m not ready to shake off my trip joy just yet as I’ve teamed up my outfit with black Dr Martens boots, which I’m hoping will stay on my feet far longer than my heels did at the weekend. I was so thankful to be wearing something full length where I could hide my patched-up feet. My DMs are not quite my trekking boots but their chunkiness gives me the same vibes, rooting me to the ground and making me feel like I’m ready to take on the world. Or maybe they’re just giving me the extra boost I need to get back to the office and face Albie. His text messages have been coming in thick and fast and he even tried calling me twice over the weekend. Whereas previously that might’ve titillated me, I found it intrusive and inappropriate. It felt too much. I’m sure our exchanges have always been nothing more than office flirtation for him too, but maybe me being absent and unable to respond has encouraged him to be a bit more forward and pushy with trying to make contact. I really didn’t like it though, especially when Liam asked who was calling and I lied and said it was my mum. The deceit made me feel terrible and so guilty.

With an editorial meeting first thing I get into the office early, meaning his desk is thankfully still empty when I arrive. I grab my notepad and pen and dive for a seat at the table as quickly as possible to ensure I’m visibly preoccupied whenever he comes in. As the meeting goes on I become more and more distracted with the idea of it finishing and having to return to the office, knowing the inevitable will happen – our first encounter. When I’m finally back at my desk, I’m aware of my tummy dancing, but rather than butterflies I have an anxious feeling swirling.

‘I was worried you’d got stuck up a mountain when I didn’t hear back from you. I was going to come rescue you. Even looked into flights,’ he says over my shoulder, placing a cup of tea next to my keyboard.

It’s all very cosy. All very wrong.

‘No, I managed to get myself back,’ I say, keeping my body facing the computer so that he might get the hint that I’m not in the mood to talk.

‘Something I’m glad to see,’ he says, lingering.