‘Of course, of course,’ said Luke a little breathlessly, ushering him towards Alison’s door. ‘Can I get you anything to go with those Danish, Vincent? Regular tea, herbal tea, coffee? Or we have…’ The rest of the drinks options were lost to us, as he closed the door.

‘I see my desk and table are still here and that Cameron’s desk is still all the way over there,’ said Ruby, turning towards him. ‘I thought things might have been rearranged to bring you in from the cold, Cameron. Or can’t you be trusted? Do you need to be kept at arms’ length?’ She glanced over her shoulder at me and delivered an almost imperceptible wink.

Cameron’s expression remained unchanged, save for the addition of a slight flicker of his eyebrows as he focused on an area of floor a few metres from his desk. ‘Hope you’re enjoying the new job,’ was all he said, and I found myself strangely relieved that he stopped there. I didn’t, I realised, want to hear a Cockney lilt and have his anxiety confirmed.

‘Oh, I just love it,’ she said casually, walking towards him. ‘I mean, of course, I miss people; people I didn’t even think I was going to miss,’ she added, her tone oddly intense. Her back was to me now, but as Cameron looked up at her and frowned, I saw a discomfort too obvious to ignore.

‘So, Ruby…’ I rose to my feet and hurried towards her, linking my arm through hers and turning her away from Cameron, ‘what’s your schedule? Are you in Bristol for the whole day?’ I asked, finally managing to rustle up a smile.

‘Yes, all day!’ she exclaimed happily. ‘I thought we could have a drink in The Hayes when you’ve finished here. I’ll tell Vincent to head back without me. I’d invite him along, but I want you to be able tell me…’ she glanced over her shoulder at Cameron, ‘…everything that’s gone on since I last saw you.’

‘Vincent would like you in there now, Ruby,’ said Luke, emerging from Alison’s office. ‘There’s a coffee on the table for you.’

Ruby ignored him. ‘Does six o’clock work for you, Edie?’

I stared at her, desperately trying to come up with a believable excuse for ducking out. But as I caught a glimpse of Cameron’s profile, jaw set and brow still furrowed in either anger or anguish, I knew that ducking out was no longer an option.

‘Yes.’ I nodded slightly manically, aware that my forced smile and cheery tone were in danger of disintegrating into a grimace and a groan at any moment. ‘That works.’

‘Can’t wait,’ she beamed, bestowing another brief hug and then heading for Alison’s office, entering without knocking and closing the door behind her.