‘Oh,’ I manage to say, thankful that nothing within me baulks at the news. If anything, the delivery and timing of his statement leave me having to fight a humungous eyeroll, but that’s all.

‘Yeah, and she’s cool too. Time to focus on that,’ he nods, pausing while he takes a gulp of his coffee. ‘On her. She likes a good time. Really fun.’

‘Oh, good,’ I say, knowing not to let him rile me, to let him say his piece and then we can both move on. ‘It’s really great,’ I say, my lips forming a tight smile.

‘It is …’ he says, looking like he wants to say more, but decides better of it. He rises from my desk and visibly returns to work mode – he stands taller, and his expression becomes stony and formal. ‘I’ll get your pages over to you by midday,’ he adds before walking away and returning to his desk.

‘Thank you,’ I say after him. I might feel like a first-class tit, but nevertheless, I feel relieved our little chat is done. A line has been drawn now and I can focus on what I actually want and, I am starting to believe, what I deserve.

At lunchtime I find myself staying at my desk and scrolling through photos on my phone. Ones from the weekend where I’m dressed up and being giddy with Liam, and then ones from the trek, where I’m more feral than I’m used to being, more challenged than ever, but at peace. I hope the emotions it’s stirred within me never fade, and now I understand why people get the travel bug. There’s a freedom in it. Not just from everyday life, but there’s a freedom to feel everything you’ve boxed away, to address it and refocus, and renewed energy follows you home. It doesn’t just stop when you’re back in your bed and no longer trekking hours every day.

Putting my phone down I open my computer and read over what I typed on the way into work today. A little seed of an idea that I hope will help people.

I love working on the beauty desk. I love the way makeup can make you feel good and empowered. I’m not keen on it being smothered on, but I guess that’s a personal choice. I’ve always been so aware of how many products get sent to me here at work, my crap cupboard is full to the brim and that’s with me sorting it out regularly. Even though we hold little charity sales for the office every month or so, I have been wondering if there’s something better we can be doing with it.