‘I don’t think I know this expression.’ She was humouring me. I shook my head vigorously, as though clarity was just a little head jiggle away.

‘What do you think, Sarah?’ I heard from across the table. Oh bugger. Gary chose that exact moment to draw me into his conversation with the silver fox. Gerry patted my leg gently and turned back to Duncan. I was on my own. Wonderful.

‘About what, Gary?’ I tried to look interested. Scratch that – I was trying to look interesting.

‘We’re talking about living the semi-retired life – travelling, meeting new people, only working when you want to – or need to – and only then for yourself. Doesn’t that sound ideal?’

‘Actually, it sounds incredible.’ I turned towards James. ‘Is that what you’re doing? You work when you want to, travel the rest of the time?’ Maybe Josh was right, after all – perhaps it was the perfect lifestyle.

‘Yes, of sorts. Sometimes I get to do both – like this trip. It is both business and pleasure.’

‘What do you do, James? When you want to work, that is.’ I could sense the tables turning as I waited for his response. And the gin was finally kicking in! I had a nice warm feeling flowing through my veins, and a little boost of confidence came with it.

‘I’m in art,’ he said. Okay, that was extremely vague. I looked at him expectantly and waited for him to elaborate. ‘I consult on works of art – for Sotheby’s, other auction houses, some galleries.’ I was impressed so, of course, I tried not to show it.

‘Have you always been “in art”, as you say?’

‘For about twenty years now, but not always, no. I worked in finance through my twenties, and when I made enough to start collecting, I invested in some pieces I liked. Eventually, a few years down the track, I realised I was passionate about the work I was collecting – particularly that of up-and-coming artists. So, when I was in my early thirties I took a leap of faith, quit my job and started apprenticing, I guess you’d call it, with an art dealer in New York. I studied, I travelled, I worked my way up – it’s as much about connections as it is about knowing the work and having a good eye – and by the time I was forty, I’d hung out my own shingle. That’s about it.’