When the fire alarm rang I was standing at my computer with EH.

‘I’m taking my handbag and coat’, I said, remembering the last time when we were stuck outdoors for ages in the cold.

EH didn’t hear me. She had already left, following normal procedure.

I took my time gathering up my stuff, then carefully locked my office door. The masked fire warden stationed at the top of the stairwell noted that I was the last one out and handed me a red square of cloth to pin to my coat. Now I knew that I was in trouble.