‘Yeah, me neither. So, d’you mean the whole event would be about her and the Girl Friday boutiques?’

‘Yes. At least, that’s what I’m thinking, if they decide to go for it. You don’t think that’s a crazy idea, do you?’

We’re at Penny’s flat now, a smart 1960s block with a neat communal garden at the front, where Nick lets us into the hallway. He unclips Bobby’s lead and he scampers upstairs ahead of us. ‘No, I really don’t.’ I hesitate in the doorway as he unlocks the door to his mother’s first-floor flat.

‘She wouldn’t be overwhelmed by all the fuss and attention, if we managed to make it happen?’

Nick smiles as Bobby runs into the flat. ‘The thing is with Mum, as I’m sure you know, you can never quite predict how she’ll react to anything. She might be shocked, or think she’s not worthy of something like that, or …’ He pauses. ‘She might be thrilled and hugely flattered. And I think that’s more likely. I’ve been saying for years that she should do something to try and revive the Girl Friday name. We know how much people love retro stuff these days – that whole Seventies thing. And it’d be great for her, to be finally recognised at this stage in her life.’

‘That’s so good to hear,’ I say, almost wanting to hug him. ‘It’s exactly what I’d hoped you’d say.’

‘But I also think,’ Nick adds, ‘maybe keep it to yourself, just for now? In the early planning stages, I mean? Just in case she kicks up a fuss or gets cold feet. You know how prickly she can be, how downright stubborn—’

‘Oh, yes, I’m aware of that. That’s what I was thinking too. I hate the thought of her dismissing the whole thing before we’ve even had a chance to start pulling it all together.’ I hesitate. ‘Has no one ever approached her before, about something like this?’

‘I’m sure they must have,’ Nick says, ‘but nothing has ever come off.’ He smiles warmly. ‘Look, I do know Mum can be a bit sensitive about living in the past, as she puts it. But maybe now’s the right time, with you being a friend, someone she knows and trusts, and this being in her home city, and possibly saving a failing museum …’ He pauses as Bobby runs back to him, and picks the dog up in his arms. ‘I’d say go for it – and let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.’

Later, with midnight oil burning

Woolliness of brain is a lesser known menopausal symptom that I have no time for tonight. Fired up from my chat with Nick, I force my way through it as I start on the bare bones of a proposal, to include: