‘So why pretend?’

‘Maybe I liked the fate-bringing-us-together idea better. Which it did, in a way. I mean, what are the chances …’

‘Well, whatever brought you here, I think the drinks are definitely on you.’

‘Of course. What would you like? Red or white?’

‘Red please. And I’m sorry about your date. Or non-date, I should say.’

‘I’m not. I told you. It’s fate. There I was, alone, dumped, abandoned, and along you came, as if by magic. I needed you to make my evening complete.’

‘And I needed you to help me make a garden.’

‘I guess I’d better do it then. And it’s a yes, to the anniversary cake. And my carpenter mate does want some photos done. His gran’s got her ninetieth coming up, and they want a big family portrait. All the generations together. Are you up for that?’

‘Yes! Whatever they want. If it gets us the benches we need, they can have it done in the nude if they like!’

‘Prue, she’s ninety. Think of all those wrinkles.’

‘Oh, maybe not then.’

‘Chips with your burger?’

‘Of course. And ketchup. Can’t have chips without ketchup.’

‘Now there’s a girl after my own heart. Back in a sec.’

She watched him walk to the bar, his smart jeans tight across his bottom, his clean white shirt gleaming as if it was brand new and straight out of the packet, which it probably was. He really was quite sexy. Now she had the idea of nudity in her head, it didn’t seem to be a ninety-year-old’s body that sprang instantly into her mind. She must have flicked through a few too many naughty bits in that book on the train. It was giving her ideas.

And, if she wasn’t mistaken, that was a definite tingle that shot through her as he turned and smiled, his floppy blonde fringe falling seductively over one eye. They say these things often happen when you’re not expecting them. Not even looking, in fact. Maybe it was true after all. Fate really was trying to tell her something. That there might now be even more reason for her to consider moving to London.

‘Let me see you home.’

‘It’s okay. No need. London doesn’t scare me any more.’

‘I didn’t know it ever did.’

‘It did at first. I wasn’t used to it. The noise, the bustle, the fact that it never ever stops.’

He helped her into her coat and they went out into the street. ‘Well, whatever you might think, it can still be a dangerous place. Especially for a girl on her own at night. I’m coming to your front door at least. It’s not far out of my way. Any further than the door would be presumptuous!’

‘Asking you in for coffee, you mean?’

‘If that’s what you want to call it.’

‘On our first date? I don’t think so.’

‘So, this was a date then?’

‘I don’t know, Simon. You tell me.’

‘It was, yes.’ He took her hand in his. ‘You’re cold.’