‘We might have to reconsider our position. He’s actually fairly dead on. We went for a coffee yesterday,’ she told him, not adding that they had actually spent most of the day together.

‘So he’s not an eejit?’ Noah said with a grin.

‘You’re the only eejit around here!’ Jo retorted.

‘Who’s an eejit?’ An English accent came from behind her, making her jump for the second time and swear for the first.

‘Jesus!’ she exclaimed in fright and she could hear Noah laugh.

Paddy, sensing a new person to win over barked and wagged his tail furiously.

‘I’m pretty sure Jesus wasn’t an eejit,’ Lorcan said. ‘Not that I’m particularly religious.’

‘We were just talking about a customer,’ Jo said, not wanting Lorcan to know they’d been discussing him, especially as he’d only heard the eejit part.

‘And we meant eejit in a nice way. Like, he’s a bit of a clown. Likes to make people laugh,’ Jo mumbled and she could sense Noah smirking behind her.

‘You’ll have to introduce me some time,’ Lorcan said. ‘But, first, I assume this is Paddy?’ He crouched down so that he could ruffle the fur of Paddy’s neck, which, of course, Paddy was only too happy about. He may have been particularly loyal to Jo, but he wasn’t above sharing himself around for more attention.

‘It is, indeed. I’m going to take him for a walk after we’ve eaten. You’re free to come along, if you’ve no other plans?’ She was surprised to realise she felt very relaxed asking Lorcan if he wanted to come along and that she didn’t care that Noah was watching their interaction. She was even more surprised to realise she really hoped that Lorcan would say yes.

‘Well, Grandad has told me to get out of his sight and do something fun because I’m on my holidays. He even gave me a tenner and said I was to treat myself, so maybe I’ll buy you an ice cream. Is that old ice cream place on the Strand Road still open?’

‘Fiorintini’s? It sure is. Best home-made ice cream in the world. But they wouldn’t be a big fan of Paddy here coming in,’ Jo said.

‘We can get some to take away,’ Lorcan replied. ‘What is it you guys call an ice cream cone?’

‘A poke,’ Noah said and Jo realised she hadn’t had the manners to introduce the pair of them yet.

‘Yeah. That’s it, a poke!’ Lorcan laughed. ‘You wouldn’t want to ask for one of those in England.’

‘Lorcan, you have probably sussed this out by now, but this is Noah. He’s my big brother, and co-owner of this place. Noah, this is Lorcan. Harry’s grandson.’