Isaac had been the one who’d wanted to tut and swear and slam things about. If upstairs felt like a prison to Hayley, it did to him too, even if now she was over two weeks post-op he could grab an hour or so to run along the footpaths to try and expend some of his pent-up energy, Doggo loping merrily at his side.

This morning he’d made curry in the slow cooker in the kitchen. At seven he’d take a break to eat it with Hayley. Feel sorry for her. Run back downstairs to work. Be treated with conspicuously distant courtesy by Lily, who he actually wanted to take upstairs and slowly undress – or rapidly undress. Either would calm his restless, edgy frustration.

When Lily arrived ten minutes before her shift began at six, he gave her his best smile but the one she sent him in reply was, as usual, polite. He watched her take off her coat and hang it up. A silver and turquoise charm on a black cord glistened in the opening of her regulation black polo shirt. It made the blue of her eyes so compelling he couldn’t look away.

‘OK?’ she asked him, pausing warily.

He knew she meant ‘What’s up with you, staring like that?’ but deliberately pretended that she was enquiring after his wellbeing. ‘Reasonably OK, in trying circumstances. You?’

Her gaze dropped. ‘Fine, thanks.’ She began to turn away but then swung back. ‘I can do the desserts for Christmas lunch now, if you want?’

He barely had time to say, ‘Thanks! That’s great—’ before she nodded and hurried off without giving him an opportunity to ask how or why her plans had changed. As it meant he could spend part of Christmas Day with her he was just pleased. He watched her behind as she swung off in the direction of the bar because there was no one to see him enjoy a lecherous moment and for two seconds it made him feel better.

It didn’t last.