They spent the next few minutes in silence, tapping on their respective laptops and shuffling papers, deliberately not looking at each other. Today they were recording an episode that celebrated Evie’s top five movie kisses of all time. It was a segment she had always wanted to record the first time around, but she’d always delayed because she could never whittle it down to just five (‘I love love!’ she would always say to Ben, throwing her arms up in defeat). After much thought, she had successfully narrowed down the thousands of kisses she’d watched on screens to her very exclusive list.

‘Should we get started?’ Ben asked eventually. ‘I still can’t believe you managed to get it down to five.’

‘It wasn’t easy. But don’t worry, I’ve got a lot to say about each of them.’ Evie took a mouthful of gnocchi, which melted onto her tongue.

Ben pressed play on the recorder and leaned into the microphone.

‘Welcome to Pasta La Vista, your favourite film podcast hosted by Evie Berry and Ben Feldman,’ Ben began a little hesitantly.

Evie smiled, thinking how professional and at ease they’d both become over the years. She’d forgotten these early days.

‘On the menu today is one of my all-time favourites! Ben’s adaptation of his mother’s kneidlach gnocchi, handed down through many generations.’

‘Speaking of favourites, today Evie is going to start the episode by giving us a rundown of something very close to her heart. Her top five movie kisses of all time. For those of you who don’t know, Evie Berry has a very special talent. She can recite the best kiss from just about every movie ever made. Let’s prove it, shall we?’ Ben smiled into the microphone and Evie nodded.

‘You’ve Got Mail?’ Ben began.

‘Pfft … easy. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in the final scene with the Golden Retriever next to them. Adorable. An eight out of ten kiss,’ Evie replied.

‘My Girl.’

‘A first peck sitting by the lake.’

‘Aladdin.’

‘While riding the magic carpet. I mean, talk about showing her the world!’

‘Cruel Intentions.’

‘Salma Hayek and Sarah Michelle Gellar outside on the picnic blanket.’

‘To Have and Have Not.’

‘When Humphrey Bogart asks Lauren Bacall, “What’d you do that for?” after they kissed. Fun fact, they fell in love on set.’

‘Pretty Woman.’

‘On the fire escape.’

‘Slumdog Millionaire.’

‘Mumbai train platform.’

‘Okay,’ Ben laughed. ‘I think we’ve proved our point. Now, master of kisses, scholar of snogs, Evie Berry, would you be so kind as to share your top five kisses of all time?’

Evie began with a detailed run down of her top four. Sound of Music, Pride and Prejudice, Spiderman and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

‘And my number one. Can you give me a drumroll, Ben?’ Evie leaned into the microphone as Ben began beating his open palms on the table.