Friday eventually came. I'd gotten a number of comments regarding Sarah's picture on my desk, with plenty of variations on 'Can't wait to meet her.' The surprise was evident on many faces, but there was no negativity, at least not to my face. People were in a pretty jovial mood, considering the week and a half off we were all about to receive.

I got home just before five, having snuck out of the office a little early (along with at least half of my colleagues.) An email had popped into my inbox around lunchtime from Mr. Auriemma. "Looking forward to seeing you at my little party, and meeting your...