I decide to go and pound the pavement around Furzton Lake; not only will it help with my training, but it might also get rid of some of my anger and frustration. It could clear my head and help me to think of a new and dastardly money-making scheme.

I jump into my car – which looks washed and polished to within an inch of its life – and head off to the lake. Minutes later, I’m in the car park. The air is fresh today and the cool breeze does much to lift my spirits out of the doldrums.

The lake is a little busier on a Sunday morning with a few joggers already out in the sunshine.

As I do some cursory warm-up stretches, I see a runner coming round the corner and, frankly, I’d recognise that physique anywhere. While my brain still tries to process the information, Blake Chadwick is on me.

‘Annie,’ he says, pulling up in surprise. ‘Didn’t expect to see you here today.’

His face is flushed. Clearly he runs at a more determined pace when he’s alone, unencumbered by me.

‘Hi. Didn’t expect to be here myself,’ I admit. ‘I’m home alone today. At a loose end. Thought I’d do a bit of training.’

‘Me too,’ BC says. ‘I normally have my daughter on a Sunday, but she’s not well with a cold today. I’m kicking around the house too.’

I hadn’t imagined Blake with time on his hands to fill. I thought he was an all-Action Man with every second lived in the fast lane.

‘You going to run with me?’

‘No, no,’ I say. ‘You look like you’re in your groove. I don’t want to hold you up.’

‘Don’t be silly,’ he laughs. ‘It’s good to have the company.’

Am I imagining it, or does BC look a bit bashful after saying that?

‘Okay.’ Be nonchalant, I counsel myself. Otherwise he’ll hear your heart thumping. ‘If you’re sure you don’t mind.’

I fall into step next to him and we set off together, Blake at his modified pace.

‘No car wash today?’

My face reddens. ‘My husband put a stop to it. Wasn’t very keen for the neighbours to see me in my bunny outfit.’

‘Very fetching, I thought,’ BC says with a laugh. ‘Your husband should be stoked that he’s got a hot wife.’

He’s not. But I don’t share that information. I do, however, gulp at the thought of BC finding me hot.

‘And enterprising,’ he continues. ‘It looks like you were doing good business.’

‘We were.’

‘I thought he would have been proud of your money-making skills.’

But he wasn’t, was he? ‘I could have done with a few more weekends like that.’ I sigh. ‘I still have nearly a grand to raise for my place. Now I’ll have to think of something else.’