Sam popped outside briefly to answer a call about the festival and returned to find Gabe chatting to two delighted elderly ladies who said they were here because one of their friends had fallen off a garden trampoline at a ninetieth birthday party.

They left Gabe alone when Sam arrived back.

Gabe checked his emails while Sam flipped through a magazine. It was an NHS production about healthy living and advised people not to eat pastry or processed meat more than occasionally as a ‘special’ treat. She was finding it hard to concentrate. Another man, of around their own age, shuffled up the seats towards Gabe.

‘Will you sign your autograph, mate? Me missus got your latest book. It’s for her, really.’

Gabe smiled amiably. ‘Sure, but I don’t have any paper.’

‘Here. This’ll do.’ The man plucked a leaflet from a rack and presented it to Gabe with a biro.

Sam saw Gabe trying not to laugh as he signed the flyer. The guy went off, grinning like Gabe had handed him a fifty-pound note.

When Sam could stand it no longer she whispered, ‘What did you sign?’

‘Your Guide to Sexual Health Services.’

Sam clamped her hand over her mouth. Gabe picked up a gossip magazine and started to leaf through it, but Sam could feel his body shaking next to her with the effort of trying not to laugh. It was funny, but it was also freaking her out sitting next to a ‘celebrity’. She would have hated the mutterings, sly looks and open stares, though Gabe seemed to handle it well enough. She didn’t think he enjoyed it, but it was something he’d learned to tolerate. It can’t have come naturally to him as he’d never suffered fools when he was young and he must have to suffer a hell of a lot of them now.

‘I need some air, but I don’t want to go too far in case Troy and Evie need me,’ she said.

‘Go and get a coffee and stretch your legs,’ said Gabe.

‘Sure?’

‘Would I have said so if I wasn’t?’ He shook his head and his eyes had that amused but kind look that had always driven her crazy. He knew her so well, even after all this time. She did need some air, but she was way too close to Gabe for comfort. She was finding herself smiling too often and enjoying being in his company way too much. She was on the verge of liking him. She was concerned about Troy and Evie, but still – how weird considering they were in a hospital – enjoying herself. She had to remind herself why it was dangerous to get too close to Gabe.

At the moment Sam stood up, Evie emerged, with Troy next to her. His arm was in a sling and he looked sheepish.