I was about to say a brief goodbye to Lorcan when he spoke first.

‘My God, your face was a picture.’

I turned on my heel and then ruined my planned haughty flounce by almost twisting my ankle on the cobbled back street. My arms flailed momentarily like an over-zealous windmill before Lorcan reached out one strong arm, setting me back on my feet securely.

‘Nice shoes but not perhaps the most practical for these streets.’

‘Yes, well, I didn’t know there were cobbles. Besides, had you not been taking up so much of the pavement,’ I made a vague movement with my arms intimating his bulk and size, ‘I wouldn’t be standing in the gutter. But thank you for your sharply insightful comment.’

‘You’re welcome.’

‘Goodnight, Lorcan.’ I turned again, more carefully this time, and began to walk away. Before I’d gone three steps, his melodic tones stopped me.

‘Don’t you think we ought to talk?’

‘About what?’ I looked back over my shoulder. It was getting late and I was tired and, with rain forecast, I needed to make sure I had all my buckets emptied and back in place.

‘About our little trip away together.’

We’d been the last ones in the restaurant and as he said this the hostess stepped out, having finished her shift. She glanced at me, shot a filthy look at Lorcan and strode off.

‘I think you just lost a fan.’

He shrugged.

‘I see now why Peyton warned you off the suppliers.’ I turned back fully to face him. ‘And it is not a “trip away together”. It’s a business trip.’

‘I know that.’

‘Just clarifying.’

He heaved what I assumed was meant to be a patient sigh but didn’t quite nail it. ‘So when’s good for you? Your calendar looked pretty rammed.’

I looked up at him and he quirked an eyebrow.

‘Very funny. You know, Patrick must have the patience of a saint to have been best friends with you for such a long time.’

‘I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. I’m perfectly delightful.’

‘Is that so?’

‘Completely.’

I turned to face him properly, taking a few steps until I was in front of him, still having to tip my chin up, despite the heels, to meet his eyes.

‘We’ll see about that.’

‘The light’s a little low but, if I’m not mistaken, there’s doubt in those eyes.’

‘You put it there.’

‘And tell me just how I did that now?’

‘I’m sure I can think of several examples, but most recently?’

‘If you like?’

‘Why the need to have a dig at Peyton about her Irish heritage? She’s obviously excited and proud about it.’

‘Because she doesn’t have any.’

‘How do you know? As she said, names often got changed so it’s entirely possible that happened in her family’s case too.’