‘Oh, it’s only Stella,’ I said, turning towards her, frustrated by the interruption but forcing a smile. ‘The doors are unlocked, Stella,’ I called. ‘Go straight in and help yourself to wine. Giles is in the cupboard under the stairs if you need anything.’

There was a murmured, ‘Thank you,’ followed by the sound of clogs across the patio and muffled cheers from within, as Stella made her entrance and then closed the doors behind her.

I looked at Cameron. ‘Carry on. What do you mean, your concern is personal?’ I pressed.

He turned his head slowly back towards me, blinking slightly, Stella’s arrival clearly having shaken his focus.

‘Er, I mean that when considering Alison’s offer, our personal relationship is a consideration for me,’ he said after a moment.

‘Oh, I see.’ My shoulders drooped unseen inside the enormous jacket, as irritation was immediately displaced by guilt and regret. I had hoped that Cameron had moved beyond my early injustices towards him, but apparently not. It was a realisation which hurt as much personally as it did professionally – more, in fact. ‘I see,’ I repeated forlornly.

‘It’s not an easy matter to raise with you, or with Alison, and definitely not one I’d feel comfortable discussing as a group at our Monday meeting. But at the same time, I don’t want to leave you in the dark about my position.’

‘Well, thank you,’ I said quietly, now addressing my feet. ‘And it’s fine, I get it. If our situations were reversed, I’m sure I’d have exactly the same doubts and reservations. I should have realised that you might feel this way. From my point of view, I wouldn’t feel comfortable working in partnership with you while you’re still uncertain or mistrustful of me, but I would absolutely support the idea of you running things on your own, or with someone else, if that’s what you and Alison decide. I wouldn’t have a problem with that.’ I looked up at him and attempted a smile. ‘God, maybe I do need a bit of emotional support after all.’

He shook his head. ‘I’m not mistrustful of you,’ he said. ‘I’m attracted to you.’

I was silent for several seconds, before experiencing a need to double check. ‘Did you say attracted?’

‘Yes.’

‘To me?’

‘Yes.’

I stared up at him, my mouth ajar.

‘If circumstances had been different,’ he continued, ‘I’d have kept that to myself for the moment. But with a partnership under discussion, I’m telling you now because it’s something I’d want to know in your position. I’d need to think about whether I was comfortable going into a closer professional relationship with that in the background.’

‘You’re attracted to me?’

He nodded slowly. ‘Yes, Edie, I am.’