I put enormous effort into hiding my feelings during Ruby’s final week at work, not only to keep things positive for her, but also because I knew that, for the most part, said feelings were unreasonable. So I hid from Alison my resentment that she had failed to take action against Cameron, and I hid from Luke and Roger my distress over the warmth of their relationships with him and, of course, I hid from Ruby my increasing misery over her looming departure.

However, the pièce de résistance in terms of masking my feelings, was, without doubt, my success in concealing from absolutely everyone the fact that I despised Cameron Grange and wanted him to disappear, not only from the office, but also from the face of the earth. It is true that I achieved this primarily by simply avoiding his company whenever possible – including, on one occasion, resorting to answering emails and taking calls in the loo. But my simplistic approach to the problem seemed to work, and by the time Friday lunchtime came around, I congratulated myself on having contributed in no discernible way to any sense of disharmony within the workplace.

However, as Ruby and I sat opposite each other in The Florist on her final day, lunching on chicken katsu and sesame salmon respectively, she presented my feelings with a challenge that I feared might prove a bridge too far.

‘I almost forgot,’ she smiled, putting down her fork and reaching into the pocket of her coat, which hung over the back of her chair. ‘There’s something I’ve been meaning to give you.’ She took out her purse and extracted a ten-pound note, holding it out to me across the table.

I shook my head. ‘We’ve already agreed that lunch is on me.’

‘I know,’ she said, flapping the note, ‘and I’ll need some change from you. I just haven’t got a fiver.’

I took the note. ‘I don’t get it.’

‘The bet. You win. Cameron is coming out for a drink with us – with all of us – tonight.’

I stared at her for a moment and then laughed. ‘You’re joking.’

She shook her head and then rolled her eyes as my face dropped. ‘Don’t be angry.’

‘I’m not angry, I’m appalled.’

‘OK then, don’t be appalled.’

‘I don’t understand why you’re not appalled,’ I said, working hard to keep my voice light. ‘And angry, for that matter.’

She reached for her glass of water and took a sip before replying. ‘Alison and I talked it through yesterday and she has discussed it with Cameron too. He’s going to come along for one drink, and then leave.’ She put down the glass, picked up her fork and scooped up another mouthful of rice.