The second shock of the evening had been when he heard Hayley speak his name. Irritation prickling through him, he’d wanted to say, ‘What are you doing here again?’ Instead, he’d made her wait until he wasn’t as busy which, in his estimation, might be a while.

When he spotted her talking to Lily an hour or so later he felt uncomfortable, though he wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was Lily’s wary expression and stiffly folded arms.

Tina was serving at the same time as keeping an eye on Flora so once Lily had been served her food Isaac slipped over to their table and touched Hayley’s arm. ‘Would you like to follow me?’ He picked up her drink and led her to a small table in the corner of the dining area. He didn’t get a drink for himself or give any indication that this was a social event.

Gracefully, Hayley sank into the chair opposite him and smiled. ‘How are you?’

‘Busy,’ he replied economically. ‘What can I do for you?’

Her smile widened. ‘I’d hoped to see Doggo.’

Isaac was swamped by a wave of anger. Leaning his arms on the wooden table, he dropped his voice so Hayley had to crane close in order to hear. ‘Surely you don’t think you can just turn up out of the blue and I’ll stop work to take you up to my accommodation to make nice with Doggo?’

The smile became fixed. ‘It was … an impulse.’

‘But uncharacteristic of you to not only spend another of your evenings off to come here but to expect me to stop work. Is something else motivating your actions?’

The smile vanished and her chin lifted. ‘Like what?’ There was a hint of injury in her tone.

People who didn’t know how to read her might let that hint of injury make them doubt their instincts. But not him. ‘I think what brings you here is me.’ He held up a hand as she tried to interrupt. ‘No, I don’t mean that I suspect you of wanting to reverse the break-up. I’m sure you’re entirely comfortable with your decision to move on with your life. I think it’s what I represent – failure.’

Hayley frowned, obviously wrong-footed but, rather than rush into a slew of questions, she propped her chin in her hand and waited.