‘So … um,’ he says, reddening. ‘I saw the boys heading off skiing as I arrived. Simon said they’d booked a guide I think and were hoping to get off-piste?’

‘Yup,’ I say. ‘Wouldn’t catch me out there in this weather.’

‘I went out this morning but didn’t stay long,’ he says. ‘Not fun when it’s like this.’

‘Nooo’, I agree.

There’s a pause. I guess he’s wondering if I remember coming on to him last night or if I was too drunk and have forgotten. I’ll let him wonder for now.

‘So what are your plans for today if you’re not skiing?’ he asks.

‘I thought I’d hang out here for a while. It’s such a lovely chalet, it’s nice to spend some time in it. I’m really enjoying myself.’

‘It is a lovely chalet,’ he agrees. He looks across to the huge window. ‘One of my favourites. Did you choose it for the view?’

‘Kind of. I work in events management and I’ve had my eye on it as a venue for a while.’ This is not the entire truth, but it’s near enough – it’s also the version I’ve told Hugo. ‘Then Hugo was looking for somewhere to bring Simon to impress him – he’s hoping he’ll invest in his company – so I suggested here and … well, here we are.’

Matt nods. There is an awkward silence, filled with sexual tension. We both know what is happening here. But we are at opposite ends of the sofa and I am Matt’s married client, so neither of us really know how to move things forward, not now that we are sober. ‘Good choice,’ Matt ventures.

‘But then it turns out that Simon came here with an old girlfriend,’ I continue, ‘and Cass is feeling insecure about it. I think that was part of the reason for her solo walk which worried everyone so much.’

‘Ah! Poor Cass. I guess having a new baby can make things …’ he tails off, realizing this isn’t a good conversational route to go down for many reasons. ‘I hope she’s OK. She seems …’

He clears his throat. ‘Well, anyway, none of my business. Changing the subject entirely, if the weather improves tomorrow, perhaps I could take you out skiing – show you the resort? With Cass, and the boys too, if they’re interested,’ he adds, quite clearly as an afterthought. ‘It’s all part of our service. I have to take my company jacket off so as not to tread on the local instructors’ toes but, being a small company, we like to—’

‘Sounds great,’ I interrupt, cutting him off because I don’t want him to go back into corporate mode and I’m already wondering how I can make sure none of the others want to come with us. ‘Why don’t I meet you at the Schuss Café at ten?’