‘Sure, you know we love you, Harry,’ Jo replied. ‘Just as you are. You’re welcome to come out with us at any time!’

‘And act the gooseberry? I think not.’ Harry grinned, but a moment of awkwardness passed between Jo and Lorcan, which Harry wasn’t slow in picking up on. ‘Oh, you two, don’t look at me, or each other, like that. I’ve been around a long time and seen enough couples get together and either make it or split and I can see when there’s a spark.’

‘Grandad…’ Lorcan began.

‘Lorcan, son, you can’t be cross with me or tell me off because I’m an old man and my heart isn’t what it used to be. You can’t be upsetting me.’ Harry coughed for dramatic effect and Jo felt herself wishing that she could just turn and walk out without drawing any further attention to herself.

‘Grandad, I’m not cross, and I’m not trying to upset you, but we’ve talked about this,’ Lorcan replied, which shocked Jo. They had talked about this? About Harry’s thoughts about the pair of them? She blushed from the tips of her toes to the hairs on her head, and knew she absolutely did not want this conversation to progress any further.

She gave a delicate cough, just to remind them both she was in the room, and then opted to change the topic. ‘Actually, Harry, I’m just here to see Lorcan about a work thing.’

‘That writer man?’ Harry said, and Jo wondered was there anything that Lorcan and his grandad didn’t talk about.

‘The very one. Are you okay if we have a chat?’

‘Of course I’m okay. As I said, you’re two of my favourite people and if someone is doing wrong by you, Jo, then I absolutely want this young lad of mine here to do what he can to help you out.’

‘She’s quite capable on her own, but I am only too happy to help,’ Lorcan said.

‘Well then, do that, Lorcan, instead of standing here chinwagging. Why don’t you go up and get one of your fancy coffees with Libby and talk it all out?’

‘Are you sure, Grandad? I’m supposed to be doing the heavy lifting for you here today,’ Lorcan said.

‘I never say anything unless I’m sure. I’ll amuse myself here with the paper and one of my not-fancy coffees from that blasted machine!’

Jo smiled. ‘You’re a gentleman, Harry. We can bring you a nice coffee back?’

‘Not at all. But, here, can you give these to Libby for me? I think they’re her favourites.’

He lifted a bag of what appeared to be packets of biscuits and thrust them in Jo’s direction. ‘They’re a little bit past their date, but not much. I’d say they’d be okay for a week or two yet.’