‘Wow, you look…’ He was lost for words.

‘Scary?’ I asked, stifling a laugh. Perhaps my eyeliner was more goth than rock chick. I smoothed down my hair.

‘No. I was thinking sexy, but not sure whether it was a bit creepy to say it?’ We were way beyond creepy by that point. He bent to kiss me, and I assumed he was going for my cheek. Instead he pulled me into a full embrace, right outside Mangos. It was too public for me and I eased away, which seemed to amuse rather than irritate him. ‘What are you drinking?’ he shouted above the music as we made our way to the bar.

‘Gin and tonic for me please,’ I shouted back. I’d already had a shot but had become quite tolerant of gin in the past few weeks. Perhaps I was more like my mother than I thought?. However, I had to keep my wits about me so would be keeping an eye on my alcohol consumption.

Ian ordered our drinks and we retreated to the same table we’d sat at on our first date. I slipped off my leather jacket and watched Ian’s eyes widen. I’d never normally show this much skin, although it seemed to be having the desired effect. Ian’s gaze lingered on my neck a touch longer than was necessary and my shoulders stiffened. He launched into the tale of his team winning their rugby game that morning. His mate had dislocated his knee towards the end and they’d spent most of the afternoon in A&E. I tried to focus on his words, looking at his mouth to avoid his eyes. Paranoid he would know what I was thinking, or worse, what I was planning? I couldn’t stop fidgeting.

‘Are you okay? You seem nervous.’

What the hell, I might as well be honest. ‘I am, a bit,’ I said, my cheeks glowing pink.

‘Why would you be nervous?’ he said, leaning back in his chair. I knew he found me amusing, quirky even. He was cool and collected and I was this bumbling naive girl. He was in control and he liked it.

‘I haven’t, you know, seen anyone in a long time,’ I said. Trying my best to appear shy rather than apprehensive of what was to come.