‘What did your mother think?’ asked Hannah, slightly horrified.

‘She’s just pleased that another one of her cooking disciples is going out there, spreading the word.’

‘Really?’

‘She’s never said anything against Polly and they’re still in touch. Her view is that we weren’t suited and it was better we found out before we got married. To be fair, in some ways, she’s right. Why should Polly compromise her career because I didn’t want to be in that world anymore?’ Despite his non-committal words, Hannah heard the sense of betrayal in his words.

‘That’s very fair of you, overlooking the fact that she used you.’ She gave him a gentle smile.

‘Ouch.’ He looked at Hannah. ‘You have a way of getting straight to the nub of a matter, don’t you? That’s what I lo— I…’ His eyes met hers and she swallowed. The moment extended as they stared at each other and she could see the tenderness in his eyes. Then he leaned forward and gave her a soft, reverent kiss on the lips, his hand cupping her face.

‘Sorry,’ she said softly, reaching up to stroke his face. Had he been about to say he loved her? Now she really was being crazy. Just because she’d realised she loved him, it didn’t mean he felt the same. He’d been bruised by Polly; he’d made it clear he wasn’t ready to go down that road again. ‘I didn’t mean to be that blunt.’

‘It’s fine. You got it straight away. Mam won’t have a word said against her.’

‘But not your grandmother.’

This time he laughed with genuine amusement and the moment between them was lost. ‘No, Bridget never liked her. She’s the seer of the family. She knows things. Some people think Adrienne has mystical powers, but it’s really Bridget. Anyway, it’s all water under the bridge now. Good luck to her. Call me a cynic but now she’s married Ronan, her broadcasting future is secure. He’s a big fella in RTE.’ With an ironic chuckle, he added, ‘He commissioned my first cookery show, so I guess I owe him something.’

Hannah could tell that despite his apparent indifference, he’d been hurt by Adrienne’s support for Polly.

‘My aunt was set to take a wooden spoon to my sister’s ex’s “saggy treacherous little backside” when she heard he’d been cheating on her with her best friend, even though she’d adored the pants off him because he always bought nice wine to lunch.’