Eve hung up leaving Jemima stunned. Every time she eked nearer to the end, it seemed like another mile was added to the race. A juicy, dark secret – like what?

‘Jemima?’

She turned.

‘Tim. Hi, sorry, miles away,’ she said pocketing her phone.

‘No worries,’ he said leaning forward to kiss her on the cheek.

Jemima tried not to stiffen but couldn’t help herself.

‘So, what’s the plan? Skydiving? Wing walking? A balloon ride?’ she rattled.

Tim’s face fell, ‘Oh. It’s a school night, I thought… pizza?’

‘I’m joking.’ Jemima smiled.

‘Phew.’ Tim sighed, relieved, ‘I figured it’s first date. Pizza’s safe, isn’t it? Unless you’re gluten and lactose intolerant – and vegan. Are you vegan?’

‘I’m actually a fruitarian,’ Jemima said. ‘We only eat what falls from the tree.’

She looked on as Tim’s mind scrambled before a grin spread across his face.

‘You’re joking. Excellent,’ he said as they both laughed.

‘I love pizza,’ Jemima said. ‘Let’s go.’

And with that, they headed off.

Pizza was a great choice, thought Jemima, as she walked alongside him. In the time it took to scoff one down, she would glean whatever might be useful for the book then head home.

‘Here we are – the best pizza in North London,’ said Tim.

Jemima took in the unassuming little pizzeria. Inside, the place was empty aside from the stripy-shirted staff prepping ingredients. After placing their order, Jemima and Tim planted themselves at a corner counter. Jemima edged her stool closer to Tim. They were only half an hour into the date but she could already see he was a much better fit than cynical Lance from last week. There was an openness to Tim that Jemima rather liked.

‘You’ve a lovely smile,’ he said tearing himself a slice of pizza.

Jemima looked away coyly instead surveying the quiet pizza parlour.

From the flickering fluorescent lights to the plastic tables and hand-scrawled menu boards, nothing about Nove di Nico said, ‘amazing pizza’ but she had to concede, it was yummy.

‘What I don’t get is, if this place is so good why is it so quiet?’ she said navigating a slice towards her mouth.

He smiled. ‘It’s early. You’ll see.’

Jemima nodded with pretend scepticism. On the wooden pizza paddle between them, there was only one slice left and she really, really wanted it. In reality, she could have demolished another whole pizza, they were so good.

‘Want that last piece?’ Jemima and Tim said in unison before laughing again.

‘Jinx,’ said Jemima.

‘Jinx, my claim,’ Tim shot back.

‘Jinx no return!’

‘What’s that?!’ chuckled Tim.

‘The secret ammo anyone who went to an East London girls’ school has in their back pocket for an unexpected game of Jinx,’ said Jemima as she took a pizza cutter from the utensils container on their table.

‘Fair enough,’ laughed Tim as Jemima cut the last slice in half.

She pushed a half-slice across the paddle towards him.

‘I think he does it as a conversation starter,’ he said, ‘cutting it into nine and not sixes or eights.’