I waited inside the flat until I saw his car pull up outside, but as I watched I noticed a fancy sports car sitting a few metres down the road. Was it the same one I’d seen outside the school? They were the same model and colour. When I left the building I pulled the door closed firmly behind me, then tried to look up the road to see if anyone was in the car, but it was already too dark.

So, where are we going? I asked Max as I got in, trying to put my worries about the other car to the back of my mind.

Fancy going down to Lincoln?

Sure, I replied, not telling him that I was already sick of the A15 and the drive to the School for the Deaf.

On the way, he told me about his day and a couple of the kids he was supporting. He was passionate about his job, and it always shone through in the way he talked about the pupils he worked with. They’d had a new child start in the school’s nursery and he was obviously loving working with her.

‘This little girl has barely signed three words all term,’ he was saying. ‘Her parents are hearing and they say they’re learning to sign but the teacher of the deaf thinks they’re only really doing it when she visits, not using it on a daily basis with the child. Anyway, suddenly she signed this story to me! I’d told her the story a few times, last week and this week, and she pointed to the book and signed the story! It was basic, but she used so many more signs than I’ve seen her use before.’

He was beaming with pride, and I couldn’t help but smile at him. He doted on his little niece, Kasey, and I caught myself thinking he’d be a great dad. As soon as the thought passed through my mind I stared forward out of the windscreen and tried to hide my embarrassment, as if Max would somehow be able to read my thoughts. I liked him a lot, but there was no way I wanted to think about anything more serious than the level of dating we were currently at. Not yet, anyway.

We parked near the Bail in Lincoln and Max steered me towards a little Mexican restaurant tucked away around the back. I’d never been to it before, and it was nice to be exploring new places with him.

Why the mid-week meal? I asked once we had some nachos in front of us.

Am I not allowed to ask to see you during the week?

I laughed. Of course you are, but I know you get up early for work.