‘Straight up,’ said Jason, looking a little uncertain as they all stared at him. ‘What’s the big deal? He pees standing up, like the rest of us.’

Fliss arched an eyebrow.

‘You know what I mean. He’s just a bloke. Runs a restaurant.’

‘Jason,’ said Fliss. ‘There are only seven-three Michelin star restaurants in the UK. I suspect he’s extremely fussy about where his bacon comes from. Are you telling me you’re working in the kitchen of one of them?’

‘Yes,’ he said sliding out of his chair. ‘I’m off to get myself a beer. I’m not so keen on this fizzy stuff.’ As he walked over to the bar set up on the other side of the table, Meredith and Alan both began to laugh at the look of absolute shock on Fliss’s face as she sat back in her chair, her eyes goggling. She shook her head muttering, ‘I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it.’

‘Jason doesn’t realise he’s born,’ said Meredith. ‘But how lovely that a man like that has taken someone like him and invested in his future. Giving the boy a chance.’

Hannah shot her a sharp glance, wondering if she knew about his previous misdemeanours. ‘It’s all right, he told us all about it at the weekend. Talking of which…’

Everyone’s gaze turned towards her and she felt her face turn pink, just for a change. Would she ever grow out of this unfortunate ability to blush at the slightest thing?

‘Yes, Hannah. Dublin. With Conor,’ said Izzy.

‘He had to go to Dublin on business. He offered me a lift.’

Meredith smiled gently and leaned forward. ‘And I’m a flying pig. I’ve had two daughters – I’m not stupid.’

‘And you’ve got that recently shagged glow,’ added Izzy.

Now it was Alan’s turn to blush and put his hands over his ears. ‘And I’ve got two daughters and I don’t think I want to hear this.’

Hannah’s face turned even redder, which shouldn’t technically have been possible but apparently was. It seemed her tongue had stuck to the roof of her mouth and she wasn’t able to deny or confirm anything. Izzy and Meredith were grinning at her but with that ‘give it up’ expression which she knew meant the Spanish Inquisition if she didn’t volunteer something.

Alan sighed. ‘I think I’ll get a beer too.’ He rose to his feet and set off to the bar, but not before Hannah saw him giving Meredith a none too surreptitious wink.