‘I’m glad Toby didn’t see them. Or he’d nag me about that, too.’

Thea decided not to follow this up, since it would be bound to get her into trouble. ‘What takeaway did you decide you wanted? My bag’s in the kitchen. Take some money before you go.’

‘I think I can afford to buy some fish and chips without contributions from you.’

‘Oh, come on! You’ve been working so hard for me all evening, it’s only fair that I pay for supper. It’s your wages, after all.’

Thea tried to get up. It wasn’t easy. After she’d got herself free of puppies she struggled to her knees, but unfortunately she was too far away from the wall to go the rest of the way and had to accept a hand from Ben.

‘I don’t want wages.’

Thea didn’t think she could offer him payment in kind in her present state of unloveliness so she gave up. ‘Oh, well then, ask them if they do deep-fried Mars Bars, will you? I’ll have one of them as well.’

He brought fish and chips and cold lagers.

‘Didn’t they do Mars Bars, then?’ She’d never actually eaten a deep-fried Mars Bar and thought they sounded disgusting, but she couldn’t resist winding him up.

‘They did, but I decided you shouldn’t have one.’

She was indignant. ‘How dare you make decisions for me! I’m not a child.’

‘He who pays the piper calls the tune,’ he said and Thea realised she was being wound up in her turn. She decided it was probably a good sign that he felt he could tease her. She cuddled a puppy, pretending to pout. ‘We’ll never get to eat these if we stay down here.’ Gently, he removed a pup who had decided the smell of salt and vinegar was irresistible. ‘Can you go back upstairs again, or do you want me to carry you?’

‘I’m not risking you suing me when you put your back out. I can crawl back up just fine, thank you.’

‘Oh, good,’ he said. ‘Can I watch? I’ve got rather fond of the sight of your bottom.’

She found herself blushing. There was definite sexual innuendo in that remark. She contemplated telling him that if he were a gentleman he wouldn’t look, but decided it might lead to all sorts of places she might not want to go. ‘You take the fish and chips. I’ll follow.’

‘Are you sure? If I came behind, I could always give you a push if you needed one.’

‘I’ll give you a push if you’re not careful,’ she muttered.