Fliss shook her head. ‘I’m not sure I can.’

Just then, the door opened and Jason walked in, blinking a bit too self-consciously as he took in the feminine décor. ‘Nice in here. Not sure about the settee.’

Fliss immediately rolled her eyes. ‘It’s a chaise longue.’

‘Fancy sofa,’ he quipped immediately and Fliss managed a smile.

‘You say potato…’

‘No I say potater,’ he said, emphasising his cockney accent. ‘I’m sorry, mate.’

‘S’OK.’ She lifted her shoulders and looked down at her feet.

Hannah wished she were anywhere else but here between these awkward not-quite-adolescents but as she went to stand, Fliss touched her wrist. Feeling obliged to stay, she sighed inwardly.

Now Jason stared at his feet. Hannah glanced from one to the other. Oh dear lord, this could take forever and she was stuck right in the middle.

‘Why are you here, Jason?’ Hannah asked, trying a different tack.

He walked over to one of the sinks and picked up one of the pretty bars of soap from the basket, tossing it up and down for a moment before he looked at it consideringly and stuffed it into his pocket, a slightly defiant expression on his face.

‘Last-chance saloon. If I cock this up, I’m done for.’ He sniffed hard and rubbed at his nose. ‘The boss sent me here. Caught me tea leafing. It was this or he’d hand me over to the coppers. That would have done it. Already on probation, they’d have chucked me in the slammer.’

Hannah nodded. She’d met quite a few Jasons over the years.

‘That was good of him.’

‘Yeah, if I’d wanted to learn all this noncy stuff. He was just showing who was boss and that he could do what he wants with me.’

‘But you’re so good,’ blurted out Fliss.

Jason shoved his hands in his pockets.

‘You are,’ she insisted. ‘A natural. Look at Hannah, she really wants to do it and can’t.’

‘Thanks,’ said Hannah, her dry words receiving a quick apologetic glance from Fliss. ‘I was thinking more along the lines that your boss could have found a far cheaper way of doing things. Have you any idea how much the course costs?’

‘No.’

Hannah named the price, gratified to see Jason’s mouth drop open. ‘You’re shitting me. No!’

‘Yes. And there’s a waiting list.’

‘Fuck me!’ He frowned. ‘What the ’ell is he playing at then?’

Hannah wanted to bash his head against the sink. ‘Perhaps he’s trying to steer you onto a better path. He’s seen something in you and is giving you an incredible opportunity.’

Jason repeated the sum she’d mentioned before and then turned to Fliss. ‘Is that how much you paid?’

Fliss nodded.

He slid down the wall and clasped his knees, his eyebrows working overtime as if they were having their own conversation.