‘Squirming?’ He feigned outrage.

‘Yes.’ Relish tinged her words. ‘Like a fish on a hook.’

‘Is there no romance in your soul?’

She tilted her head to one side as if considering the question and then wrinkled her nose. ‘It would appear not, and you still haven’t answered the question.’

With a sigh he said, shaking his head, ‘Spoken like a true lawyer. In my defence, it was a rather forthright young lady with, shall we say, a crush. I’d met her once before at a party and I had no mind to upset her by rejecting her as bluntly as I think I may have needed to. I was hoping to avoid a confrontation which, thanks to your noble actions, I was able to do.’ He paused before adding, ‘I am in your debt.’

‘Don’t worry, I won’t hold you to it.’ The thought didn’t sit well with her, implying some kind of transaction was owed.

‘That’s a shame.’ There was a definite challenge to his voice.

She rolled her eyes. ‘You think a lot of yourself. Dinner will do fine.’

He grinned at her. ‘If you’re sure.’

‘I’m sure.’ Her severe tone didn’t dampen the knowing look in his eyes. They were playing a game and it was up to her whether she decided to capitulate or not. At the moment the jury was out.

The food, when it arrived, was delicious; big on flavour and low on pretentiousness, which was a plus in Hannah’s view.

‘May I?’ Conor had lifted his dessert spoon and dipped it into her soup before she could answer.

‘Go ahead,’ she said watching as he tasted the smooth pinky-orange bisque. She had to admit it smelled divine.

‘Mm, that’s good. Touch of tarragon in there, I think.’

‘Excellent. I’ve never had an official food taster before.’

‘Sorry, was that a bit rude? It runs in the family. We’re always trying each other’s food. Here, try a scallop.’ He loaded a fork with a smear of bean puree, a piece of bacon, and a small creamy scallop and offered it to her.

The flavours burst in her mouth and she gave a greedy little moan. ‘Mm, that is gorgeous.’

‘Yes, the saltiness of the bacon and the flavour of the garlic and cannellini bean mash sets the off the scallops to perfection. Gerard is a genius with seafood.’

God, she hoped he wasn’t going to ask her to identify the ingredients of anything. She wouldn’t know a cannellini bean if it came and spat in her face, let alone that you could make a mash with it.

‘So what do you do when you’re not working? Manchester’s nightlife is great, isn’t it?’