‘You’re always looking at things through the eyes of a wedding planner, aren’t you?’ he prompted as I took another sip, delaying my answer as I realised that my career had, in effect, taken over my life. Everything I did, everywhere I went, everyone I met was unconsciously assessed on how they would fit into a wedding. Even every flower I smelled, I realised now, I processed only in relation to how it would look in a bouquet. It was as if I’d forgotten to appreciate things for being beautiful in and of themselves.

I turned away from the window and met Lorcan’s eyes. ‘It’s hard not to become absorbed when it’s your own business. Everything you have goes into it and with the last couple of years…’

‘I get that. And you’re right. It’s hard for me to look at a place now without considering what I would have done, had I been the developer. At least it was. I’m better at it now. You have to take a step back from work sometimes otherwise you find that’s all you have.’

‘It’s not all I have. I do plenty!’

He studied me before replying in that calm, knowing way. ‘I was saying that from my perspective. I wasn’t suggesting you don’t have lots of other things in your life. In fact, you showed me your diary. There’s definitely not a shortage of things in your life.’

‘It’s good to keep busy. Take all the opportunities you can.’

He gave his whiskey a gentle swirl and watched the golden liquid thoughtfully as it circled the glass.

‘By the look on your face I can see you don’t agree.’

‘It’s not that I don’t agree as such,’ he said, lifting his gaze to mine. ‘It’s just that it’s always good to have balance.’

‘I’m balanced,’ I shot back. ‘I’m totally balanced. Even though you seem to take such enjoyment in criticising my organisation, what you’re missing is that it enables me to schedule all the balance I need into my life.’