It was him. even now my breath drew short as I thought about it, all the things he used to do, all the million little ways that he would never let anything go, every little rumer that he spread or whisper behind my back.

Richard Delany had just walked into my board room. Mine.

I saw him look up and I know that he recognised me, I wished that I had chosen to wear the stilettos this morning instead of the practical comfortable shoes that are my fail safe whenever I know I am going to be in long meetings with my very glamorous bank manager (or should that be manageress - maybe not). No need to rock the boat.

My meeting had been a success, the grant was mine and in just six months my prototype was going to launch and change the world.

As I gathered up my things he said hello. I smiled, asked him how he was doing and thought of all the comebacks I had ever come up with just two minutes to late.

We made polite small talk.

I wished him well, and left him to clean the windows.