‘Shall we get going?’ Josh was standing on the deck, all six-foot-one of him, looking down at me with a sexy smile. He scrubbed up nice too, but I would wait until we were away from prying ears to tell him that. I silently admired his dark jeans, crisp white linen shirt – the sleeves rolled up a few times. In his hands, he held brown leather shoes, which I knew would look great with the rest of the outfit.

‘Yes, definitely.’

Then I looked at Gerry and Duncan. ‘What are you two up to tonight?’ I really didn’t want to invite them on our date, but I also didn’t want them to feel unwelcome either.

‘Sleep!’ declared Gerry as she put her hand up to her mouth, another yawn blooming behind it.

‘Yep. Eat something, then sleeping. Lots of sleeping,’ Duncan concurred.

I was relieved. ‘Okay well, have a nice night.’

We exchanged goodnights, then Josh led the way off the boat, taking my hand to steady me as I crossed between the boat and the land. He knew all about my fear of falling in and being squashed. On the pier, we both stepped into our respective shoes, and as we walked away from the boat, Josh grabbed my hand again. That was the moment I decided the date was going well.

‘I asked Duncan about some places we could go, and I’ve picked somewhere I think you will like.’

‘That’s super thoughtful.’ See?

‘Well, it’s what the guy does, you know? On a date.’

‘Oh, really? It’s been so long since I’ve been on a date, I’d forgotten. And you likely don’t know this, but Australian men – they don’t really know about dating etiquette.’

‘They don’t?’

‘Well, no that’s not fair. I’m, sure there are some who do. I know some Aussie guys who treat women respectfully – they’re fun and caring, and genuinely want to be with someone.’ Josh was listening, but not saying anything. Somehow, I’d managed in only a matter of minutes to leap right into a taboo date topic – other men. I needed to lighten the conversation.

‘But in my experience, those men are either gay, or married to my friends.’ It had the desired effect and he chuckled at that. ‘So, where are we heading?’ Changing the subject like a champion.

Josh stopped at the end of the pier and pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. He looked from the paper to the streets and buildings in front of us, folded the paper and put it back in his pocket.

‘This way,’ he said, with confidence. ‘Duncan drew me a map.’