‘You do.’

I didn’t reply, but nodded acceptingly, realising that completely out of sorts was exactly how I felt and, moved by Roger’s gruff, fatherly concern, I found myself wondering whether I might feel better if I had a little cry.

‘Client being reasonable and co-operative?’ he asked, now with the air of a no-nonsense protector on the lookout for anyone in need of a good kicking.

More silent nodding.

‘Well…’ He cleared his throat. ‘That’s grand. But if the situation should change and I can be of any help, just say. Oh and tonight,’ he cleared his throat for a second time, ‘provided I haven’t keeled over by then, I’m taking Cameron for a pint at The Port of Call if you’d like to join us. I think I heard you say you wanted to talk some things over with him yesterday.’

I continued to nod but didn’t look up.

‘He’s a nice lad, you know, Edie.’

I stopped nodding, feeling as if I was walking an emotional tightrope and about to lose my balance. ‘Is he?’ I murmured weakly.

‘He is,’ replied Roger emphatically, apparently judging the question to be unrhetorical.

‘I’m out tonight,’ I said quietly, after a moment. ‘But thanks for asking.’

‘Exciting. Where are you off to then?’ called Luke, as he barged his way through the glass double doors, making a typically crashing return to the office. ‘Somewhere in Henleaze? Bingo? Bowls? Bridge?’

‘Just for a drink.’

He grinned. ‘She’s being suspiciously vague, don’t you think, Rog?’ he said, flinging a Pret a Manger bag down on his desk and then reaching inside. ‘Here, got you this,’ he continued, throwing me a piece of plastic-wrapped banana cake, ‘’cos you’ve been even less smiley than Roger lately.’

I looked at Roger who raised his eyebrows at me. ‘He’s not wrong.’

‘Yeah, so cheer up,’ said Luke, sitting down and taking his lunch from the bag. ‘No excuse now,’ he added, pointing at the cake.

I stared down at it, as my emotional tightrope swung precariously from side-to-side. ‘Thanks,’ I murmured. ‘And, you know, I’m sorry if I’ve…’ I stopped, unable to finish the sentence, not wanting to think too deeply about what I might actually be apologising for.

When I raised my eyes, Luke was looking at me questioningly.

I heaved a sigh and then managed a smile. ‘Maybe I do have your bug coming on, Roger.’ I turned towards him. ‘My head feels like someone has poured concrete in my ear. Is that how yours started?’

He shook his head. ‘I was coughing up large quantities of green phlegm from the off.’

‘You know, on second thoughts, maybe I’ll save this smashed avocado thing for later,’ murmured Luke, sliding a box back into the bag.

‘Are you going to go home, Edie?’ asked Roger.