The evening was warm with a gentle breeze, perfect for a romantic stroll along the beach followed by a pint outside Blue Savannah, which I assume was Nicole’s plan given that she’d suggested meeting outside The Surf Shack on North Bay Corner.

Running my hand across my freshly-shaved chin, I shook my head. Shit! I couldn’t do it. I’d told Jack I wasn’t ready and the stupid twat hadn’t listened. I picked up my mobile and called him.

‘Don’t tell me she hasn’t turned up,’ he said, connecting the call after the first ring.

‘I don’t know. I’m not there.’

‘You can’t be stuck in traffic. There isn’t any at this time of night.’

‘No, I’m not. But I’m not going. I shouldn’t have let you talk me into this.’

‘Sam! You can’t just not turn up.’

‘I wasn’t going to. I’m not a total git. I want you to call her and tell her I’m not coming.’

‘No can do, bro. I don’t have her number.’

I shook my head. ‘That’s bullshit, Jack, and you know it. I was with you when she texted you with the time and place.’

He laughed. ‘Busted! Let me ask you one question. Are you backing out because of Kirsty?’

My stomach twisted at the mention of her name. ‘Yes,’ I muttered after a pause. ‘Because, like I said to you when you came up with this stupid blind date idea, it’s too soon.’

‘Too soon? Christ, Sam, it’s not like she’s dead. She’s very much alive and still shagging her way round all our colleagues.’

‘Thanks for the reminder.’

‘You’re welcome. Look, Sammy–’

‘Don’t call me that.’

‘Mum does.’

‘And you’re not Mum.’

Jack laughed again. ‘Okay, Sam, what harm is there in going on one little blind date? One date. One! I’m not asking you to marry Nicole. I’m not asking you to jump into bed with her. Actually, maybe that would be a good plan. If you shag her, you might get Kirsty out of your system. I want to hear all about it, though. Remember I’m not getting any so I need to live vicariously through you.’

I swear that, most of the time, my brother acted about ten years younger than me instead of four years older. His wife, Millie, was six months pregnant and had put a ban on sex a couple of months ago citing vomiting, exhaustion, and ‘a general feeling of ickiness’ as three pretty good reasons for abstinence. It was killing him.

‘And I’m not cancelling your date,’ he added.

‘You are.’

‘I’m not.’

‘You are!’

‘Bye, Sam.’

‘Don’t hang up on—’