She had to acknowledge that this was true, however much it would boost his over-inflated ego. ‘Fortunately I was saved from myself.’

He laughed. ‘And maybe you can save me from myself.’

Laura laughed back at him. ‘Where shall we meet tomorrow morning?’

‘On the corner, by the shop. We’ll drive a little way first.’

Monica allowed Laura to walk back from the pub on her own after she was convinced nothing bad would happen to her. Laura wanted to be fresh tomorrow and not hung-over. Although she’d already drunk far more than was compatible with healthy living, if she drank enough water and took an aspirin, she should be OK in the morning. She’d drunk more in the last couple of evenings than she’d ever drunk in her entire life, even as a student.

It was Monica’s turn to sneak in during the early hours and Laura’s to be self-righteous, although Monica was fit enough to get up for the massive breakfast they no longer just expected, but looked forward to with worrying eagerness.

‘I’ve got a horrible feeling,’ said Monica, loading a piece of soda bread with butter and Old Thyme Irish Marmalade, ‘that a bit of toast and a banana isn’t going to be enough for me any more. I’ll need the Full Irish every day.’

‘Well, I need a big breakfast because I’m going to be taking exercise,’ said Laura.

‘Mm, so you are. Do you care to be specific about what exercise exactly you had in mind?’

Laura laughed. ‘To be brutally honest, I don’t think the sort of exercise I have in mind is the kind of exercise I’ll be having but I’m sure I’ll be burning up plenty of calories either way.’

‘So you really like him?’ Monica was studying her closely.

‘God yes,’ said Laura, too late realising she should have been less vehement. She knew full well that she was deeply infatuated, and equally well that it could go nowhere and she’d better start getting over it as soon as she could – immediately after they’d had their walk together. Until then she could have her few hours of joy, even if having them was likely to make the getting-over part far, far worse.

‘Well, I wish you luck with him. He’s a stunner, I’ll give you that but not a novice ride, if I can make an equestrian pun.’

Laura raised her cup in congratulation. ‘It’s a very good pun. With Irish connections too. Excellent.’

‘But it’s too late, isn’t it? All my good advice, too late, no use.’

‘Good advice almost always is, isn’t it?’

‘I expect so, but do me one, big, massive favour; if you sleep with him, remember it this time – and take precautions!’