‘You’re back,’ said the man Lily knew was called Bell. ‘Pint of IPA.’

Lily found the action of pulling a pint hurt her hand because she had to grip as well as pull. Awkwardly she swapped to her right hand and took Bell’s money.

After ten minutes a middle-aged lady came in wearing a thick down jacket. ‘Is Isaac here?’ She smiled at Lily who, after a second, realised it was Isaac’s mum, who she’d met a few weeks ago.

‘Hello, Mrs O’Brien, he’s upstairs—’

‘Come through, Mum,’ came Flora’s voice from behind Lily.

‘Call me Stef,’ Isaac’s mum said to Lily with a smile. ‘Hello, love!’ to Flora. ‘How’s Hayley today?’

‘Disappointed at not getting her drain out.’ Flora’s voice diminished as she took her mother through the back area towards the stairs. Lily felt as if she were the newcomer to the pub, not Flora. As a few Friday lunch regulars came in and chose tables she whizzed out with menus and big smiles, reflecting that although Stef had had her problems with Hayley according to Isaac, now Hayley was in trouble, Stef was calling to see her. Was it because Stef had a caring nature? Or evidence that Hayley was re-entering Isaac’s circle?

She took drinks orders for two tables and when she turned back saw Isaac behind the bar, his hair shining and earring glinting beneath the twinkling Christmas lights. Her heart flew up into her throat.

She crossed to the till and rang through two pints of lager and two glasses of white wine for the couples at table ten and a shandy, a tonic water and a double gin for the ladies at table five. Isaac watched while she made up the orders and delivered them.

‘OK?’ he asked, when she returned.

‘Yes, thanks.’ She made herself sound carelessly composed, as if she wasn’t breathlessly aware of him, of his body beneath the pressed-crisp white shirt.

‘How’s your hand?’ He stepped in closer.

‘Fine, thanks. I told Tina I’d be OK for light duties. I might have to use my right hand to pull the pints a bit, that’s all.’

‘Sure?’

She allowed her gaze to meet his properly. His brown eyes were sombre. There was something reproachful in the set of his mouth, like someone who was being punished for something he hadn’t done. She said steadily, ‘Perfectly sure. Thank you.’ With what she hoped was a composed smile she stepped around him to serve a customer.

Lily worked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a tight, miserable feeling in her chest. Isaac’s manner towards her was professional, with no hint of what had gone on between them.