I break off and look around the room, which is exactly how Spencer left it when he moved out. However, the band posters and haphazardly Blu-Tacked photos of him and his mates have been entirely obscured by the clothes I’ve strewn about everywhere. Even the window is mainly covered by a fringed suede jacket hanging there. Multicoloured patchwork dungarees hang from the back of the door, and there’s barely an inch of floor space visible for all the boots and shoes. ‘It’s like being young again,’ I add, grinning now, not caring how crazy that sounds. I have almost forgotten that the camera is there. ‘That’s what this whole project has been like for me, right from the start. It’s about joy.’

I look at Nick, and he meets my gaze and he smiles. My heart does that thing again; that flip that catches me by surprise, as I’d never imagined I might have those kinds of feelings again, for anyone.

He stops filming and rakes a hand through his hair. ‘That was brilliant,’ he says. ‘I knew you would be. That was just what we need.’

‘Are you sure I wasn’t just babbling on?’ I grab a straw hat and fan at my face again.

‘Not at all,’ he says firmly, and I’m wondering now where it came from, that burst of confidence and ability to feel completely at ease? I might have thought it was something to do with Nick; he’s the professional, after all. He’s used to interviewing people, helping them to relax in front of a camera. It’s his job to coax the best out of people. But actually, I don’t think it was really his doing at all. Somehow, it just came from me.

‘Nick,’ I say as he’s leaving, ‘I’m thinking … maybe I should tell Penny tonight. We’re getting so close to the show now, and Hannah is keen to go full on with publicity, which makes sense of course. I don’t think I can hold her off for much longer.’

He nods. Although it’s to be a free event, to attract as large an audience as possible – it’s about bringing people into the museum, not making money – it’ll still be ticketed and word is bound to get around. ‘I dread her finding out before I’ve told her,’ I add.

‘Yes, I think you’re right,’ he says. ‘Shall I ask her to drop in when she’s taking Bobby out tonight?’ Even though Nick’s staying with her, she still insists on doing the evening walk herself. My breath of air, as she puts it.

‘Good idea,’ I say. ‘I just want her to know now.’ And I smile, trying to summon the confidence that somehow filled me when he was filming tonight.