Thea didn’t add that she had to keep Rory focused and away from the notion of sending her slides to his contact in America. She wasn’t quite sure how she was going to do it.

‘Three months really isn’t enough,’ said Molly, who’d argued at length and unsuccessfully for six. ‘It takes longer than that to get a bathroom decorated.’

‘I know, which is why I want you to go to estate agents and find out about suitable properties to rent. You can send details here – perhaps’ – this was taking a bit of a risk: give Molly too much responsibility and she’d take over the whole show – ‘perhaps check some of them out for me. Please, Molly? I know it’s a bit of a cheek to ask you but I don’t know anyone else I could trust.’ Who lived locally and who had time, she added silently.

‘Oh, very well.’ Molly hid her pleasure by folding up her tea towel. ‘Now, what’s Petal doing? We’re going to go for a walk.’

Thea raised her brows in surprise. Petal didn’t ‘do’ walking unless she was in a covered shopping mall. When Molly had gone she unfolded the tea towel, so it could dry.

Thea watched the party leave with regret. She hadn’t asked them to come, but now she didn’t want them to go. It was partly because she didn’t want to be left with Rory, but mostly it was frustration. Now she’d decided to open an art gallery, she was anxious to leave her Irish idyll and do it, especially as she had so little time.

Rory stood behind her as they waved the car away. ‘Well, Thea?’ He turned her round and put his hands on her shoulders.

It was crunch time. ‘Rory, you are one of the most attractive men I have ever met,’ she began. ‘And I must be completely mad not to make love to you right now, in front of the puppies.’

‘I sense a “but” coming on.’

‘I am completely mad. I don’t want to make love to you, or for you to make love to me.’

He took it well. He raised his eyebrows, but didn’t seem particularly surprised. ‘You mean you came to Ireland, to my house, with no intention of giving me what we both wanted? We did both want it, didn’t we?’

Thea considered for a long time before she answered. It was important to tell him the truth, but not to give him any false impressions. ‘When I came to Ireland I thought I wanted a break from my humdrum life. I was terribly flattered by your interest – my ego will remain inflated for years, just on the memory. But when I saw your work, your paintings, I realised there was something more important than just wonderful sex.’

‘Believe me, nothing is more important than wonderful sex.’