“I don’t know, they just give me the name and the address.”

“So they could be from anybody? Maybe they’re from that millionaire whose heart you broke when you ran away from him in Rio.” Finn took a tarnished silver hip-flask from his pocket and held it out. “Brandy?”

“There’s a thing. With the flowers. A card. And I can’t drink on the job. Thanks.” The delivery boy backed away.

“You can come to the wedding if you like!” Finn called after him. “You could sit next to Ava’s future mother-in-law and offer her slices of lemon to suck!”

“He’s gone.” Ava sighed happily. “Who am I going to tease delivery boys with once I’m married?”

“I think you’ll still be allowed to visit,” said Finn.

“Yes, but then I’ll have Paul with me.”

“You could leave him at home. Or he can sit inside and sigh and read the paper like he does now, and we’ll go off and be annoying somewhere else.”

“Isn’t it supposed to be different once you’re married?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never been married. Are you supposed to be putting on your dress or something?”

“Oh, probably. Can you hold these for me?” Finn held the flowers while Ava opened the tiny white envelope. She looked at the message for a long time.

“It says,” she said at last, “I know you said you didn’t want flowers but I couldn’t help myself. I want to take care of you for ever. Love always, Paul. And it’s in his handwriting as well.”

Finn inspected the bouquet critically.

“I should hope so. Even someone as rich as Paul shouldn’t pay other people to do his handwriting for him.”

“I mean he must have gone to the shop himself. Not just phoned it in.” Her voice broke on the last word and she scrubbed fiercely at her face with her dressing gown sleeve.

“Oh, hey.” Finn put his arm around her shoulder. “I was only teasing. I don’t actually think he pays someone else to do his handwriting for him.”

“It’s not that. It’s just – it’s just… ” she glanced at the clock on the wall. “No, I haven’t got time to be upset, I’ve got to do my make-up.”

“Of course you’ve got time, you daft article. They can’t start without you, can they?” Finn laid the bouquet down on the bare floorboards of the hallway. “Come on. We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”

In the tiny living room, Ava sat on the battered sofa that Finn had re-covered in purple velvet. Finn sat beside her. After a minute, he handed her the hip-flask.

“Drink,” he told her.

“I’m driving.”

“We’ll get the bus.”

“In a long white frock?”

“It’ll make everyone’s day. They’ll probably let you on for free. The number 15 stops right by the church. Everything looks better with brandy. Drink.”

Ava took a swig.

“Besides,” said Finn, just as she was swallowing, “Paul’s probably built you a whole new church just outside to save you the walk.” Ava choked, and looked at him disapprovingly. “Come on, that was funny.”