‘That I cut my losses at the Juno was, to you, a failure. But it led you to fail too,’ he expanded. Ignoring the shocked widening of her eyes he pressed on in his softly spoken assault. ‘You’ve realised you failed me when I sailed into trouble – the rat to my sinking ship. When you kindly recommended me when Mr Tubb was looking for somebody it was out of a need to reassure yourself that you’re a good person. And now you’re circling back to see how I’m doing in that job to fulfil a need to square your conscience. You think that you’ve rehomed me, like Doggo.’

Hayley sat perfectly still, but she’d paled, her lipstick appearing very red.

‘If you’d really like to see Doggo,’ Isaac continued, still in the same soft voice, ‘then contact me ahead so we can agree on a convenient time. A busy Friday evening is not it.’

When she replied, her voice was hoarse. ‘You sound bitter. I’d hoped we’d always be friends.’

He considered her words. ‘I suppose I am bitter and I expect more of my friends than to let me down. I certainly expected more of my partner and lover than to end things by telling me that my attraction was my success. And my success had gone.’ He saw her flinch.

‘I’m sorry I made you feel that way,’ she whispered. Shakily, she smoothed her hair – unnecessarily. As usual, it was a smooth, shining cap. ‘Isaac, you were always so kind.’ She halted.

When she didn’t say any more he rose, softening his voice. ‘I certainly don’t want things between us to be sourer than needs be but I need to get back to work now. Ping me a text about Doggo when you want to see him. Maybe take him for a walk.’ He didn’t want her in his space upstairs. He said goodnight and returned to his post behind the bar, smiling at Carola who was waving a twenty-pound note.

As he moved on to the next customer and then the next, observing everything going on around the bar, he sent Flora off to clear tables and reset them, then to tell a group apologetically that the kitchen would be closing soon so she’d have to take their dessert order now or never. He was aware of Hayley slowly finishing her drink at the table in the corner, shaking her head when Flora asked her something.

Lily had finished her solitary meal and drifted over to talk to a group near the door, her back to him. Despite his good resolutions, his gaze lingered on the perfect roundness of her behind in the clingy dress. Of course, that was the moment Hayley had to stalk across the room, sliding neatly into her coat ready to greet the winter outside.