‘Safer over here,’ she said. Her face was flushed. ‘You not dancing?’

‘I gave it a shot,’ Matt said. ‘And I agree with you. Sammy’s a danger to himself and others.’

‘Could I borrow a smoke?’

‘If you give it back.’

She gave him a puzzled look. ‘Sorry?’

‘People always ask if they can borrow a cigarette, but they’re not the kind of thing you borrow and return.’

‘Oh. Never mind, then. I can do without.’

He had meant it to be funny, but it was not quite working out that way. He felt himself flush. ‘It’s fine. It’s something we say at home. Me and my friends. It was a crap attempt at a joke.’ He passed her his packet of Marlboro Lights. ‘Here. Take one.’

‘You sure? I don’t have to give it back?’

He laughed. ‘Of course. Have two.’

‘Was that another joke?’

‘Yes. Couldn’t you tell?’

She shook her head. ‘Afraid not.’

‘I’ll try harder next time. Or maybe not bother.’

‘Don’t give up. Practice makes perfect.’ She lit the cigarette. ‘So where are you from?’

‘Warrington. You?’

‘Richmond.’

‘In London?’

‘No,’ she said. ‘The Yorkshire one. You enjoying it? At uni?’

‘Love it. How can you not?’

‘I know, right?’ She took a drag and blew the smoke out. ‘What are you doing tomorrow night? There’s a band night at the union.’

‘I’ve got a’ – he picked his word carefully – ‘guest coming.’

‘A guest? What kind of guest?’

‘It’s someone from home.’

‘Someone from home? A friend? Your parents?’

‘No. Someone else.’ He paused. He didn’t need to hide anything. It wasn’t as if she was single, either. ‘Girlfriend,’ he said. ‘She’s called Lindsey.’

He was sure he saw a flicker of disappointment on her face – maybe a slight narrowing of the eyes or fading of her smile – but it was probably only wishful thinking.

She sipped her drink. ‘That should be fun. She must be a serious girlfriend if she’s coming to stay?’

‘Since last Christmas. What about you and Guy?’

‘Me and Guy!’ She laughed. ‘We’re just friends. We’ve known each other for years. We were at school together in Richmond. He has a pretty serious girlfriend of his own. She’s at Cambridge.’

She stood up and stubbed out her cigarette. ‘God, it’s hot in here. Do you want to go for a walk? Get some fresh air?’

‘Sure. Now?’

‘Why not?’

‘Where to?’ he said.

She shrugged. ‘I don’t know. The lake?’

‘There’s a lake?’ he said.

‘Yeah. You should have seen it on the way in.’

‘That?’ Matt said. ‘It’s more of a pond.’

‘Maybe, but they call it a lake. I don’t think pond has quite the same ring to it. Shall we?’