Regardless of what my head is doing I float into work – which could be because of the good shag and the explosion of endorphins, but heavily helped along by the gorgeous burnt orange Ganni maxi dress I’ve teamed up with white pumps and a little leather jacket. A wave of satisfaction washes over me when I swoosh passed Albie’s desk and see him double-take in my direction. I smile back, reprimanding myself as I continue walking. The messages have continued since the weekend. All just light and polite with the occasional flirty line thrown in, but it’s only harmless. Truth is I’ve been enjoying the back and forth and dipping a toe into the unknown – it’s nothing, just banter.

Liam and I don’t really do banter any more. We’re beyond the stage where we message each other throughout the day about the banal and ridiculous. We let each other get on with our jobs knowing we’ll catch up in the evening over dinner and wine. In fact, if it were Liam contacting me this much it would be irritating when he’s aware of how busy I am and how much I have to get done each day.

A hefty stack of parcels awaits me as I arrive at my desk, causing my stomach to perform an excited flip. Valentine’s Day means a lot to beauty brands and they do all they can to spread the love (and secure some extra coverage in the mag) when there’s a clear celebration to get behind. Valentine’s Day is obviously a big one, but so is the whole of December where each day feels like someone’s raided Selfridges and dumped the loot on my desk – for we all know people love to spruce themselves up and add to the glamour at the endless festive parties and for New Year shenanigans. Alongside those and Mother’s Day (oh yes, I still get flowers, lipsticks and facial offers even though I don’t have my own children), Easter and Festival season (not exactly a day but people love playing with their looks over the summer months), I’ve also in the past had deliveries for National Hat Day, Pizza Day, Random Acts of Kindness Day, and Just Because Day – and that’s as well as the steady stream of PR gifts that arrive daily to alert me to a new shade, formulation or product in a line. It’s endless but I never complain. Yes, I know there are only so many creams a girl can use, but walking in and seeing a Bobbi Brown, Charlotte Tilbury or Jo Malone bag perched prettily on my desk does fill me with joy. I like things, and I don’t think that necessarily makes me a bad person. I appreciate them and devour them. It’s part of my job.