‘Have a good evening you two,’ Belinda answered. ‘Scott, it’s been a pleasure to meet you. Hope to see you again sometime.’

‘Oh you will definitely see me again,’ Scott assured her as he closed his car door.

Fern glanced across at him. He sounded so sure, so confident that he would return, she would have to trust he would.

Scott turned to look at her before he started the car. ‘Am I allowed to tell you that you look beautiful tonight? Because you do.’

Fern smiled. ‘Thank you. You’re looking very smart too. Where are we going?’

‘I found a small family-run restaurant in Carhaix that sounds as if it could be good. Lots of positive reviews on TripAdvisor anyway. To be honest, I just want to spend the evening with you. I don’t really care what the food is like, probably won’t be up to your standard anyway,’ he said, grinning at her. ‘In which case, I apologise in advance.’

When Scott turned onto the N164, Fern caught her breath. It will be all right, she muttered to herself. It’s the quickest way to Carhaix. It’s not the same stretch. You’re not driving. Just take deep breaths. She closed her eyes but sensed Scott glancing across at her.

‘Are you okay?’ he asked.

‘I’m not very good on this road. I’ll be fine when we get to town,’ Fern replied, deciding to be honest.

‘Why this road? Oh,’ Scott said as he realised the problem. ‘I’m sorry. It didn’t occur to me. This is the road I’ve been using since I’ve been here.’

‘It’s not your fault, Scott. But maybe I can show you a different route when we go home.’ So much for wanting Scott to have special memories of her and the evening. He’d forever remember her now as the woman who almost had a panic attack in his car.

The rest of the journey passed in silence as Fern concentrated on her breathing and Scott on his driving. Parking in the main street, Scott took her hand as they made their way down a narrow lane towards the restaurant he’d chosen.

‘Good choice,’ Fern whispered as he pushed open the door and they were greeted by the maître d’. The table they were shown to was in a secluded corner, with candles in sconces on the walls alongside and a bowl of floating candles surrounded by red rose heads had been placed in the centre of the white tablecloth.

Scott ordered Kir royale aperitifs for them both while they looked at the menu. Once they’d given their orders and the large menus had been whisked away, Scott picked up his Kir and held it out for her to clink glasses. ‘Here’s to us,’ he said. ‘And to the future I hope we’ll have.’

Fern gave him a tremulous smile. ‘To our future.’