‘I’ve parked my car round the back. Maybe you should leave by the back door?’

She nodded and he left by the front door, while she crept out of her house like a criminal. His comfortable car smelled of leather and peppermints.

‘Um …’ He hesitated. ‘You might want to slide down as we drive out and put my coat over yourself. They won’t have seen you get into the car, but they could still be watching carefully who goes out.’

‘OK.’ She felt ridiculous as she crouched on the floor with his jacket over her head and pressed the gadget that opened the gate. There were no flashing cameras this time, at least.

‘You can sit up now. No one seems to be following us.’

She wriggled back into place, fastening the seat belt and trying to tidy her hair. So much for making it look smoothly stylish. It’d be all over the place now.

He shot a smiling glance sideways. ‘I like your hair with the mussed look. It suits you.’

‘Oh.’ She didn’t know what to say and was relieved when he made easy small talk about a film that had just been released.

With Jez she’d had no difficulty talking. Stop thinking about him! she ordered herself. You’re with Peter tonight.

He drove round to the rear of the restaurant and moved a cone blocking a marked parking bay before occupying it. As he helped her out, he said, ‘A friend owns this place and I asked him to save me a place out of sight of the road.’

‘Good.’

‘We’ll go in the back way, if you don’t mind.’

‘I’d prefer it. I’ve not even been able to go shopping without them hassling me lately.’

‘Must be frustrating. I wonder why Talbin has his teeth into you?’

‘I don’t know. He’s a real pain.’ He was another reason not to continue this thing with Jez. There she went again, thinking about him. She was a fool, an absolute fool!

The meal was excellent and Peter’s friend coped happily with the changes to dishes on the menu necessary to handle her cereal intolerance – always the sign of a good restaurant. The conversation was interesting – but the spark simply wasn’t there between her and Peter, which taught her what she’d needed to know.

After they’d finished the luscious desserts, he leaned back and said with a smile, ‘He’s a lucky man, whoever he is.’

She could feel her face growing hot. ‘I don’t— How did you know?’

‘I’m not conceited but I do usually manage to elicit some response from a woman I fancy. And keep her attention during a meal.’

She looked down at the tablecloth for a moment or two, then told herself she was being cowardly again and raised her eyes. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Do I know him?’

‘I’m not even sure I know him.’

‘It’s Jez Winter, isn’t it? Talbin’s sure there’s something between the two of you. He’s right, isn’t he?’