‘That’s insane. Me. Gawd, I’ve been breaking and entering since I were knee-high. I were always the small kid they could post through a window to open all the doors. Went to juvie a couple of times. That’s where I learned to pick a lock.’

Fliss looked doubtfully at him. ‘What about the people you stole from?’

‘Didn’t really think about ’em too much. We mainly did offices, factories, not houses. Didn’t think the chap at the restaurant paid that much attention. He were asking for trouble with a cellar full of wine and what-nots.’ He winced. ‘I took a couple of cases, sold ‘em down the pub.. He weren’t cross though, just did that disappointed look, like my old mum did whenever I came home with a bad report.’

‘You were lucky he didn’t involve the police,’ said Hannah.

‘Yeah, I was. I’d be inside now.’ He looked up at them both and rubbed a hand over his mouth. ‘I’m a twat, aren’t I?’

‘Yes,’ said Fliss straight away. ‘This course is amazing and you are so bloody lucky to be here. I could… could slap you. Your boss sounds like a really decent bloke and you’re pissing about. You know some of the people Adrienne has trained run some of the best restaurants in the world. Look at Conor – you know he’s loaded from being a TV chef. His sister in the US is worth a fortune.’ Her lip curled. ‘You have to work for it, though. It doesn’t just fall into your lap. I’m bloody glad I didn’t know this course was being subbed by your boss or I’d have been even crosser.’

‘What do you have to be so cross about? Silver spoon in your mouth. Daddy paid for you.’

‘Yes, he did, but I had to plead with him. I want to be the best. Prove to him and my brothers that I’m good at something. That’s why I’m here and it makes me so mad to see you waste the opportunity, because you are good. Really good. And it bloody annoys me.’

‘Good job Adrienne’s not around. I think you might have just filled up her swear jar,’ observed Hannah.

‘Her and her frigging swear jar. No idea what that’s all about.’

‘It’s part of her overall philosophy that you shouldn’t need to swear in the kitchen. She’s trying to take the pressure out of cooking. It’s about the quality of the food, not being a showoff,’ explained Fliss.

‘How do you know that?’ asked Hannah.

‘I asked her about it. She comes and talks to me while I’m doing the greenhouses.’