‘He’d like that. He doesn’t mind little ones and I might have already mentioned you to him – and to Katya.’

‘Oh.’

He grinned. ‘She’s not bothered what I do with my life. All I care is that she’s staying. For now, while we’re taking time to get to know each other – as very good friends, of course – how about I show you around Caitlin properly? The skipper’s quarters included.’

‘Down there?’ She pointed at the hatchway in the deck.

‘’Fraid so. Mind the ladder, though. You go down backwards, by the way.’

Drew was down the ladder-like stairs in seconds, while Chloe took them at a slightly more sedate pace. They emerged into the saloon where the crew and guest sailors hung out. The wood-lined space was cosy and basic but spotlessly clean.

You really couldn’t swing a cat in the minuscule cabin and it smelt of lemon, as if someone had just cleaned it. Tangy but not unpleasant. There was a photo of Drew and Connor on a small shelf and a drybag, probably with his clothes in it, in the corner. The cabin had all the essentials, nothing frivolous, but still, to her eyes, it managed to be romantic and full of character.

Very much like her owner, thought Chloe, looking at her handsome skipper, leaning in the doorway, anxious to know what she thought of his second home.

Hmm. That single bunk, spread with a thin mattress and a sleeping bag wasn’t much more than a large shelf. Chloe sat on it. Any kind of bouncing was out of the question but it was very firm.

Drew seemed anxious, sensing she might be having second thoughts. ‘It is very basic. All these vintage vessels are,’ he said.

‘It is a little bit spartan …’ She bit her lip. Suddenly all thoughts of only being friends fled out of her mind. ‘But I still love it and you know what I said a few minutes ago about taking things slowly? Well, I’m not sure I can wait that long.’

‘I see.’ His voice took on a serious tone as he closed the cabin door. ‘You do realise that there’s going to be a hell of a stir if we don’t come up from here for a while? Troy probably has a stopwatch on us and the gossip’ll be halfway round Porthmellow by sunset.’

‘The whole of the town by teatime, I’d say, but I don’t mind.’ She held out her hand to him. ‘If you don’t.’