‘I know that,’ I said, ‘it’s just… Oh look, it’s a long story and I don’t think I’ve got permission to tell it. I just need to know whether he has a girlfriend and, if so, who she is.’

‘Well, I’m afraid I don’t know – not for sure anyway,’ he said, mopping up the coffee spray. ‘I just assumed that he was seeing the woman he’s drawn up the kitchen plans for: Kerry. He talks a lot about her and they’re obviously very close.’

I slumped in my chair, staring at my desk, feeling disappointed for Giles. ‘They are,’ I said quietly.

‘Hey, but don’t give up hope until you’re certain.’

I looked up at him and nodded slowly. ‘You’re right. We have to test the information and verify the facts. Otherwise, we’re just guessing, aren’t we?’

He shrugged. ‘Well, you’re the one actually doing all the guessing here. I’m not really that invested in—’

‘So, will you find out if he’s seeing Kerry or not?’ I interrupted, leaning forward and lowering my voice. ‘You know, do a little digging. Covert ops. Report back to me later in the week?’ I smiled winningly at him. ‘Will you?’

He stopped mopping, looked up and grinned excitedly, leaning towards me across his desk. ‘No.’

‘What? Why not? That’s so unhelpful.’

‘Ask him yourself,’ he said, tossing the wipes in the bin and returning the packet to the drawer.

‘I can’t ask him,’ I said.

‘Why not?’

‘Because he’ll want to know why I’m asking.’

Luke shrugged. ‘Tell him it’s because your friend fancies him.’

‘But that’s not true.’

‘Aha!’ He whirled round in his chair. ‘Well done for admitting it,’ he said. ‘And in that case, just tell him that you fancy him. It’s 2018, Edie, not 1818. You’re an empowered woman. You can make the first move. I don’t understand why you’re turning this into such a project. Just tell it like it is.’

‘But that’s not how it is,’ I groaned, just as Alison walked in.

‘Good morning,’ she said, making her way briskly towards her office.

‘Morning, Alison!’ I said, hurriedly turning to my screen and switching it on before beginning to unpack my bags.

‘Hi,’ smiled Luke, raising a hand. ‘Good weekend?’

She paused with her hand on the half-open door and after a moment she let it swing shut and turned to face us. ‘Yes, I did have a good weekend, thank you,’ she said. ‘And how was your weekend, Luke?’

‘It was great, thanks.’

Alison nodded. ‘Good. And yours, Edith?’ she asked, turning towards me.

‘Mine was also great,’ I said.

‘Good.’ She nodded again, and then turned and entered her office, closing the door behind her.

‘Hey and here comes the artful Roger. Hi, Rog!’ said Luke, turning in his chair.