Chloe was torn between worrying about what he might have swallowed in the mucky harbour water and admiring the way his shirt had stuck to his chest. OK. He was fit and strong and he compared very favourably with the ‘helpers’ on the ramp, one of whom still had a pint in his hand. What was wrong with her lately? Fangirling over Gabe and now ogling Drew? What would Fraser have thought? He’d have laughed and called Drew a ‘yokel’, probably. Fraser was suspicious of men who wore brown shoes with a suit, let alone anyone with a ponytail and an earring. Yes, Drew would have pushed every one of Fraser’s ‘drop-out’ buttons … he pushed Chloe’s buttons too, but in a very different way. Her wicked thoughts rapidly turned to concern as Drew was now shivering. Someone draped an old waterproof coat round his back and told him he was nuts. Chloe was inclined to agree.

She hurried over to him, careful of the slimy weed on the slipway. ‘Are you OK?’ she asked. The wind was still gusting hard and Drew tugged the flapping mac around his T-shirt.

‘A bit on the cool side but I’m fine.’

She shook her head. ‘Why didn’t you wait for someone to help fish out the banner?’

‘I dunno. Impulse, I guess. I thought I’d dive in and get it before it could cause any more damage. It was blocking the entrance to the outer harbour and I wasn’t totally sure it wouldn’t sink, given the weight of the metal fastenings. Plus I couldn’t be arsed to wait for all the fussing over ’ealth and safety and who was going to launch a boat etcetera, etcetera. Anyway, I used to jump into that harbour every night during the summer holidays. I know it like the back of my hand.’

‘I suppose you are a grown-up. Allegedly.’ She was amused by Drew’s antics now he was safely on dry land. She brushed her fringe out of her eyes. The wind was still very strong and the halyards were clattering on the masts of the yachts. ‘And we’ve got the banner back safely, but you must be freezing.’

‘I wouldn’t mind getting out of these clothes, to be honest. I’ll pop into my house and get changed. It won’t take a moment.’

‘Me too. Can I get you a coffee afterwards? Or something stronger? You deserve it.’

He laughed. ‘I’m not sure about that. Kenny, the lifeboat helm, called me a bloody idiot. I don’t know what came over me, but an offer like that is too good to miss. I’ll grab a hot shower and then shall I meet you in the Tinners’ in five minutes?’

‘Sounds good. I need a bit of a pick me up myself, to be honest.’

Drew frowned. ‘Really? Why’s that?’