I wasn't supposed to be chairing the panel at all.

Our Board Chair, Alasdair Reid, always chaired the senior interviews. I'd been planning to sit in, score the candidates, and stay quiet.

Then, at eight o'clock, Alasdair rang from Heathrow.

“Fog,” he said. “Every flight to Edinburgh's cancelled until this afternoon. You'll have to chair, Holly.”

“Alasdair, there's a problem.”

I told him about James.

He was quiet for a moment.

“How long ago?”

“Five years.”

“Did he know you'd be on the panel?”

“I don't think so. Our website lists the Chief Executive as H. Fraser. And I don't think he's ever looked me up.”

Alasdair thought about it.

“Declare it properly,” he said. “In writing, before he walks in. Chair the meeting, keep it fair, but don't score him. Let Fiona and Dougie decide. That's the right way.”

Fiona Gray was our HR Director. Dougie Paterson was the community member of our board. Seventy-one, a retired docker, and the best judge of character I've ever met.

I wrote the declaration and sent it to both of them.

Then I went to make the tea.