Of course he did, I thought enviously. I bet where he lived in London was a world away from the place I’d rented with Harvey. He probably had an amazing apartment overlooking the Thames with a pool, a gym and an underground car park. He’d mix with crowds of rich, successful and handsome people just like him and have strings of drop-dead gorgeous women trailing in his wake at all times. Whereas I was a slightly plump and extremely clammy labourer for his gran.

‘Lottie?’ He bent down to peer at me and his bemused laugh brought me out of my reverie. ‘You really are tired, aren’t you? You didn’t hear a word I said.’

‘I did, you said …’ My mouth had gone dry and I swallowed. ‘I am a bit weary, now you mention it.’

He placed his arm loosely around my shoulders. ‘Come on, let’s find a seat. You’re trembling. Have you eaten anything today?’

I shook my head, realizing that I might be on the verge of tears. I wasn’t sad, but he was being so kind and I realized suddenly how much I’d missed being held by someone. He spotted a rogue tear on my cheek and looked horrified.

‘Oh God, did I do that?’

‘No, you’ve been very kind.’ I wiped my eyes. ‘I always do the Paddington thing myself, but when the tables are turned, I can’t cope with it.’

‘Paddington. Right,’ said Jensen, clearly mystified. He steered me to two chairs and a small table which our young car-park attendants had set up for themselves under a parasol and we sat down. Alarmingly there were a couple of empty bottles under the table; I hoped the boys had gathered up empties as part of their rubbish-collecting duties and not drunk them themselves. Our knees were touching and I wondered if Jensen was as aware of the sensation as I was.

I gave myself a little shake and then wished I hadn’t because I really did feel quite light-headed.

‘You were saying,’ I prompted, ‘about the party with the gorgeous women?’

‘I was?’ He looked puzzled. ‘Actually, it’s my boss’s fortieth wedding anniversary.’

‘Ah yes, I remember,’ I said vaguely. Everything had gone slightly hazy and echoey.

‘Look,’ he shifted in his seat, ‘I’ll get to the point. Can I have your number? I’d like to call you.’

‘My phone number? To call me?’ Did this mean he was attracted to me the way I was attracted to him? And if so, should I really be encouraging it? He seemed nice and fun and he was definitely good-looking, but I’d only been single for six weeks or so, I really wasn’t looking for romance.

Jensen’s eyes sparkled. ‘That is the usual reason.’

‘Sure.’ I swallowed nervously. ‘The thing is, I’m not in a great place right now. I’ve just split up with someone.’