‘Look, are we going to the pub before closing time or not?’ Troy chipped in, saving Sam from replying.

She still hadn’t decided how she felt about meeting Gabe on her own by the time she left the pub – or how he would feel about meeting her.

For a Thursday evening at eight p.m. it was relatively quiet inside their chosen pub. Nonetheless, heads turned when she and Gabe walked in. Sam took out her iPad and notebook, carrying it so that anyone who might think otherwise would know she was here on festival business.

‘I’d like to run through the Chef’s Theatre programme,’ she said loudly to Gabe as they paid for a G&T and a pint at the bar.

The landlady handed the drinks over, an amused smile on her lips that could have meant anything.

There were two men nursing pints standing a few feet away, making no effort to keep their conversation quiet. ‘Nice of him to come back when he turned her own brother in to the police,’ the younger of them muttered, wiping foam from his mouth. ‘Ruined his life.’

The landlady shot the pair a withering glance. ‘Button it, Robbo,’ she snapped, causing more eyes to turn in their direction. The guy called Robbo smirked then moved away from the bar, glass in hand.

Sam cringed but Gabe had a tight smile on his lips. They chose a booth in the far corner of the lounge that hopefully gave them a bit of privacy. ‘I knew this was a bad idea,’ she murmured as she slid behind the table.

Gabe chose the stool opposite her. ‘What, meeting me or coming in here?’

‘Both.’ She toyed with her pen, clicking the top anxiously.

‘Don’t let a couple of prats upset you. That’s not the Sam I knew.’

‘That’s just it, Gabe. I’m not the Sam you knew,’ she said quietly.

‘That goes for both of us.’

Sam took a breath and treated Robbo to her best death stare. He immediately took an interest in his pint.

She pulled out a file and handed Gabe a piece of paper. ‘OK. Moving on to the – um – business in hand. Here’s the schedule of demonstrations for the day. I’ve emailed you a copy as well, but I thought it would be easier if we could see the whole plan in one go.’

As he took it, the hairs on his arm brushed her wrist. ‘I haven’t had a chance to look at it yet, so thanks.’