Sam’s stomach clenched. No matter how many times she told herself that she wouldn’t mind if they did start seeing each other, she did mind. Even thinking about it bothered her.

Hearing their laughter, Drew and Troy joined the conversation again. Drew joked about her new hair style again and she batted him playfully on the arm and he touched her arm in return. It was just the closeness of two old friends but for the first time ever, Sam was conscious of what Gabe might make of it, then annoyed at herself for even caring.

She slid a look at him to see if he’d noticed but he only had eyes for Chloe.

‘If you’re around,’ she was saying, ‘I’m having a get-together at the Crow’s Nest a couple of weeks before the festival on Saturday the fifteenth. It’s nothing big or fancy, just having the committee round for a few drinks and something to eat … erm, if it’s not a busman’s holiday.’

Interest sparked in his eyes then he frowned. ‘I don’t mind. Hmm. If that’s June the fifteenth, I should be down here. I had planned to go back to London for a while in the meantime because I’ve got a lot on … I’d need to check my diary but as it’s a special occasion, I’ll try my hardest to be there.’

Chloe beamed. ‘Oh. OK. Well, that would be great if you could make it.’

‘Do you have my direct mobile number? You’ve been dealing with my office and my PA until now. It would probably be easier if I gave it to you?’

‘Good plan,’ said Chloe.

‘In fact, maybe it’s a good idea if all the committee members have my number, just in case it’s needed,’ he added.

‘I can forward it to everyone to save time,’ said Chloe. ‘If that’s OK?’

‘Thanks.’

Moments later, everyone’s phones beeped as Gabe’s number reached the WhatsApp group. Like the rest of the committee, Sam took out her phone to check she’d received the message but resisted the urge to add it to her contacts there and then. Drew and Chloe helped a grumbling Troy add it to his address book. Sam might have been imagining it, but did Gabe try to catch her eye while the others were looking at their screens.

‘Well, that’s done,’ said Chloe. ‘Now, I need to warn you, Gabe, that everyone’s bringing something to eat to the party. You don’t have to, of course.’

‘What? Not cook something? You try and stop me. What sort of thing?’

‘Anything really, though we have some main courses and dessert covered …’

‘How about some mezze slash tapas to go with the drinks beforehand?’ he suggested.

‘That sounds perfect. Around seven-ish? Hopefully if the weather’s fine we can have drinks on the balcony.’