‘A day of trials and disappointments,’ he says, smiling to take the note of self-pity from the words.

‘Jake said eggs had been thrown at your house.’

‘Ah, yes. Some local louts getting their kicks.’

‘They didn’t throw eggs at any other house – just yours.’

Does he imagine it, or is there a challenge in her voice? Until now, he’s had her down as the meek sort, easily led, but perhaps he needs to reassess.

‘Well, I can’t think what I’ve done to be singled out for the honour,’ he replies, aware of how disingenuous this is, but he’s not ready yet to own up to his past. He can’t quite face it, after the day he’s had. ‘Some birthday present,’ he remarks, with a brief laugh that dies quickly.

‘It’s your birthday?’

‘My sixtieth. I was supposed to meet a friend for a drink, but I’m afraid he’s cancelled on me. Still,’ and now he turns as if to leave, ‘a glass of wine alone should do just as well.’

‘Look, why don’t you join me?’ she offers, and he has to push back against the smile of satisfaction that threatens to break out over his face.

‘Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to intrude on your solitude.’

‘I don’t mind – honestly. Jake will be back very soon, and I’m sure he’d love to meet you properly.’

‘Oh, well, then, in that case …’ He smiles and nods. ‘How kind of you. Thank you.’

He takes the chair the young man had been sitting on, while Leah disappears inside for a fresh glass. He can’t help feeling pleased with himself at arriving in this position, the way he’s turned things around. The smell of fish lingers in the air, and in front of him some salad leaves, limp and damp with dressing, adhere to the sides of an earthenware bowl. Her bare feet pad across the paving – he hears the soft sucking sound they make, feels it tickle the nerves at the back of his neck.

‘Thank you,’ he says, as she pours him a glass. The wine is tepid, he notes with disappointment as it slips past his lips, not that he should care about the wine. That’s not his purpose.

She has picked up a napkin and twists it between her fingers. There’s something nervous about her – an uneasiness in company. A silence sits between them, not completely awkward, yet he senses she doesn’t know how to break it. Her shyness makes her all the more attractive to him. It reminds him of Janice Simmons – a blonde timid little thing, with grey eyes that wouldn’t settle. He’d met her at an office party.

His gaze passes over the paleness of Leah’s skin, takes in the small childlike frame, the narrow ridge of her clavicle jutting out beneath the straps of her dress.