Flynn glanced up, a momentary look of surprise on his face. “Oh, hello,” he said, and then looked back at his paper.

Nice to see you too, Keely thought. He really could be the rudest man. She was determined not to let the weather or Flynn spoil her good mood. “Have you had breakfast? Would you like me to get you something?”

He was silent for a moment, staring at the page. He looked up just as she gave up and moved towards the kitchen.

“What? Oh, no…thanks. I’ve eaten.”

Keely boiled the kettle and put some bread in the toaster. Flynn continued to worry over his paper and she took her breakfast to the other end of the table. Just as she sat down he leaned back and threw down his pen.

“Bugger it,” he muttered. He looked like a man who’d had little sleep, his eyes were red and the wispy ends of his hair fluffed out around his head.

“Is there a problem?”

“Only for me.” Flynn grimaced and stood up. “I have good ideas but sometimes I bite off more than I can chew. I need to clone myself.” He went to the kitchen and made himself a coffee.

“Can I help?”

“Not really.” He came back to the table. “Oh, that was Mary on the phone earlier. She said to ask you if you’d like to join her jewellery group tomorrow night. Evidently there are a few keen women who get together and share their talents. You’re welcome to use one of our vehicles or I could run you in if you’re not up to driving.”

Keely stared at Flynn. He was looking back at his paper again, coffee cup in hand. She really couldn’t make him out. He was almost rude when she first came in and now he was bending over backwards to be helpful.

“Thanks, I’m not sure. I’ll see…” Her voice trailed away. She liked Mary but she wasn’t certain she’d enjoy the jewellery group.

Flynn chewed on his pen and looked at her. “What’s an easy food to prepare and serve in large numbers?”

Keely was taken aback by his question.

He stood up and paced the room. “Sorry. It’s not your problem. I’m just thinking out loud really. Mary was also ringing to remind me that I have to organise the menu for the Divine Wine and Dine program. Euan gets angry every time I mention it but I’ve committed us to it and it will be good for business. We have to go ahead now.”

“If I understood what you were trying to do, I might be able to help.”

Flynn stopped pacing and looked at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. “You’re good with food, aren’t you? The meals you’ve cooked have been great.”