‘How’s your coffee, madam?’ Salvi emerges from the bedroom in a dark grey suit and tie.

‘Perfect, thank you.’ I hug my coffee mug like an actress and sip from it slowly.

I didn’t sleep with him. It’s not that I didn’t want to; I did. I was ready to be arch seductress, fevered femme fatale – roles I have never taken on and have no clue about, but was ready to give a good go – as we tumbled through the door, kissing and kissing, but it didn’t happen. Salvi pressed pause – to get us another drink, to fuss over preparing a bowl of trendy-looking snacks – and somehow we ended up sitting on his bed, the room spinning slightly, and then I was in that bed, somehow, and I have a vague memory of him tucking me in, the covers tight round me, like swaddling clothes, then waking at a very hungover 6.30 a.m., to him sitting on the side, staring at me.

His smile was gentle. He took a stray piece of hair stuck to my face and tucked it into the rest, he trailed a finger down my arm; he said I looked beautiful. I felt amazing. I felt looked after, cherished – almost; he looked at me like I was a precious porcelain doll in a box. Something exquisite. Something delicate and breakable. No one has made me feel like that before.

‘I’ve got to go, I’m afraid.’

Salvi is grabbing briefcase, papers, keys.

‘Already? It’s not even seven yet.’

‘Big case on.’ Salvi comes over and plants a soft kiss on my lips. ‘Thank you for a fantastic night, though,’ he says. ‘No need to run off, stay as long as you like. Just let yourself out, the door will lock behind you.’

‘Oh, OK. Thank you.’

His gaze lingers on me. His eyes then flick over the breakfast bar.

‘Ah. There it is.’ He grabs his phone from beside me, half hidden under a napkin. ‘You haven’t touched this, have you?’ he asks.

‘Of course not! Why, you got something to hide?’ I joke.

‘No,’ he says quickly. ‘It’s been playing up, that’s all.’ His eyes soften. ‘I have to be careful with it.’

‘I promise I haven’t touched your phone,’ I say sweetly.

‘Bye,’ he says, with a grin, and with another kiss and a look that makes me feel treasured and special, he is gone.

‘Bye,’ I whisper, as the door closes behind him.