‘I am,’ I said as I stepped outside and shut the door behind me. ‘Urgent appointment. I am so sorry you’ve come all this way but you really should have let me know.’

‘I tried to but you don’t reply.’

‘It’s been a hectic time. I’m …’ I was about to say I was moving but didn’t want him to ask where to. ‘Anyway, got to dash.’

‘No problem. I’ll wait. There has to be a café around here somewhere. So, this is where you live?’ he asked as he looked up at the house.

‘Yes. How did you find out?’

‘Probably the same way you found me,’ he said and tapped the side of his nose. ‘We have our methods.’

Fair point, I thought. ‘Er … how long are you in London for, Kevin?’

‘Just today. There’s a convention on in Earl’s Court which I’ll be attending later today, about caring for snakes. Couldn’t miss that, plus I wanted to see you. I was hoping you might like to come. Since you came down to Westgate, I can’t get you out of my mind. The timing, seeing you again, it felt like destiny.’

‘It did?’ Oh God, how am I going to get rid of him, I asked myself.

‘Yes. We were good together once, we could be again.’

‘Oh Kevin, I am so sorry but I am in a relationship.’

‘You are?’

‘Yes.’

‘Is it serious?’

‘Very. Love of my life.’

‘Can I meet him?’

Oh lord, I thought. How was I going to conjure up a partner at a moment’s notice and, not only that, one who’d play along if necessary? Of course. Heather. ‘Not a he, a she,’ I said. ‘We’ve actually been together for years.’ Not a complete lie, I told myself, Heather was a partner of sorts.

Kevin looked shocked. ‘So you’re—?’

‘Attached, yes, and I’m in a bit of a hurry here and I’m going to be busy for the rest of the day. I’m sorry I haven’t returned your texts. Truth is, there’s a lot going on in my life at the moment. There’s no point in you hanging about here, so you might as well head off for your convention and when you go back to Westgate, I promise I’ll return your calls. OK?’

He looked peeved but nodded, and handed over the flowers. ‘Not much point if you’re not available but you might as well have these.’

‘Thank you, and you’re probably right, not much point. Now, I can give you a lift to the tube if you like, it’s on my way.’