“No, that’s not right. I’ll explain the horrors of the dairy and egg-farming industries to you some other time. And as for honey—absolutely not. It is brazen robbery of the life-giving food stores of bees. Not to be thought of.”

“You’re saying I can eat anything I can pick that won’t harm the parent plant?”

“Well, yes, there are those who are prepared to do violence to the plant by picking things from it. I prefer to wait for bounty to drop naturally from the plant. If you want to be an ethical eater, there’s no other option.”

“Thank you for explaining it to me, Lucy. You have opened my eyes.Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee perhaps, when you drop me home later?”

I laugh. His coquetry amuses me. “Perhaps. We’ll see.”

But I’ve already decided. I will indulge him by coming to his flat later and whiling away a few hours with passion. I won’t stay the night. They always develop expectations if you do.

“I have to be up early tomorrow,” I say, when he invites me in at the end of the evening. “I have a presentation in the morning. But I can come in for a little while.” I’m laying the groundwork for my early exit.

He apologises blushingly for the state of his flat. I don’t see much amiss. It’s the usual boyish clutter—bright scarves draped everywhere, a Pilates ball by the sofa, a low-carb salad bowl abandoned half-eaten on the table.

I accept the offer of coffee, although I’d prefer brandy. While he fusses in the kitchen, I browse through his collection of CDs and DVDs. My expectations are low, so I’m not disappointed. Pretty Woman, 10 Things I Hate About You, An Officer and a Gentleman, Sixteen Candles, Twilight. The usual boyish fantasies of happily ever after.

Don’t get me started on the music. He has every Now That’s What I Call Music CD published since the turn of the century. Who even listens to CDs any more? Has this boy never heard of the digital age?

He brings a tray to the sitting room, looking flushed and nervous. Time to make him more nervous still. As he puts the tray down, I stand and back him up against the bookshelf.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking what I want.” Then I swoop and capture his mouth in a masterful kiss. He struggles for a moment, like a bird trapped in my arms. Then suddenly all the fight goes out of him as he melts into my embrace. His capitulation comes a little more easily than I like. I prefer it when they put up more of a fight. But this will save time. I’ll be out of here in an hour.