‘So,’ Lorcan said, ‘have you come up with any other ideas for us, during your time off and the hours of the day when Grandad says I should be getting out and about? I swear any day now he’ll be asking me to call round to see the lads I used to play football with when I was ten and ask them if they are coming out to the street for a game.’

Jo laughed, and the intensity of a few moments before passed. ‘I have a few ideas. You might regret asking that question!’

‘I don’t think so,’ he said. ‘But please, if I’m taking up too much of your time just say. Don’t feel you have to be nice to me just because of Harry. I know you must have a lot going on in your own life.’

‘Don’t worry about it,’ she told him. ‘Believe me, if I didn’t want to spend time with you, I’d find a way to avoid you completely. Which reminds me, I’ll be avoiding you tomorrow. I’ve previous arrangements.’

She swallowed at the thought of getting all dolled up in her finery and having to talk with Ewan McLachlan as if she knew what she was doing.

‘I’m a man and not necessarily the most perceptive of creatures,’ Noah said. ‘But you don’t sound overly excited at the thought?’

Jo stretched her legs in front of her and took a deep breath. ‘I’m nervous. Sometimes that feels like excitement. Sometimes it’s just horror. It’s something I’ve never done before and it kind of came about by accident so, you know…’

‘What is it?’ Lorcan asked. ‘Fire walking? Skydiving? Roller skating?’

‘I’ll have you know I’m very good on roller skates.’ Jo laughed. ‘Or I was. In about 1999. But I’m sure it’s like riding a bike. You never forget, et cetera. I mean, I don’t want to test that theory, but let’s just say, for argument’s sake, that I’m good at it.’ She paused. ‘No, this is a bit scarier.’ She felt a bit cringey telling him, and worried what his reaction would be. Would he think she was chasing some unattainable dream? ‘There’s an author coming to Once Upon A Book tomorrow,’ she said, eyes cast downward so she didn’t see the look on his face. ‘For a reading.’

‘Ah, Ewan McLachlan. I saw the poster in the window. I love his books. I did try and get a ticket, but it’s all booked up.’

‘I might be able to pull some strings,’ Jo said. She was sure Libby could slip an extra chair in somewhere. Although the thought of him being there for her potential gut-wrenching humiliation made her feel a little nauseous.

‘I wasn’t hinting,’ Lorcan said.

‘I know, I’m just saying,’ Jo replied.

‘So you’re going to it?’ Lorcan asked.