‘Sure, I get that. But it doesn’t mean she has the right to deliberately hurt you. You are more than that, Grace. From where I’m sitting I see someone wonderful. You’re kind and compassionate – just look at how much you care about finding out the truth for Connie. And you are smart too.’ Grace felt her cheeks blushing. ‘Don’t ever doubt that. And you’re beautiful – the way your gorgeous green eyes light up when you smile. And your red curls—’ And for some unfathomable reason that Grace couldn’t explain, she interrupted him by blurting out, ‘What colour hair does Jennifer have?’ which momentarily seemed to throw him off kilter as his mouth opened and then closed before his forehead furrowed, he opened his mouth again and said, ‘Jennifer? Um, blonde. But it changes all the time. It could be pink the next time I see her.’

She nodded and pushed her chair back. ‘Err, I need the bathroom. Sorry. Be right back.’ And she dashed off inside the restaurant.

In the safety of the bathroom, she stared at her face in the mirror, wondering why on earth she would say such a ridiculous thing. Ellis was mostly likely sitting there now thinking she was some kind of fruit loop to come out with such a random question about hair colour. But she couldn’t work out where she was with him.

Is he flirting?

Or just being kind, trying to give me a boost?

If he’s flirting then he has no place to be and I should tell him so.

But I like it.

Splashing her face with water, she took a deep breath and willed herself to get a grip, telling herself he was just being friendly and kind. Of course he was.

After smoothing her sundress down and tidying her hair, she returned to the table where Ellis stood up and pulled her chair out.

‘Are you OK?’

‘Yes, I’m fine, thanks,’ Grace said, busying herself with sorting out the napkin which had dropped onto the floor in her haste to get away.

‘I didn’t mean to overwhelm you with compliments, and you don’t need my seal of approval at all, definitely not in a patronising, arrogant way … I hope it didn’t seem like that.’ Grace quickly shook her head. ‘I just wish you could see your qualities for yourself.’

‘Thank you,’ she smiled, swirling the last of her wine around the bottom of the glass. ‘Honestly, it’s OK, I appreciate you being kind.’ Ellis studied her for a moment, as if trying to work out whether to say something else, before seemingly deciding not to, then nodding and settling on, ‘Cool. And I say, more power to you for coming away to Italy. You sure need the break by the sounds of it and, from what you’ve told me about Jamie, I reckon he will take great care of your mother,’ Ellis said.