‘I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Fancy grabbing some lunch at the cafe? After all that posh food, I could murder some unhealthy, unorganic chips and a greasy burger.’

Hannah laughed. ‘You’re on. Let’s go.’

‘Yum. Heaven,’ said Izzy, nibbling at one of the big, fat crispy chips. ‘Why do fish and chips always taste better outside and by the sea?’

‘Are you expecting an answer to that?’ Hannah laughed. They were sitting on wooden benches at one of the tables outside Sammy’s beach cafe. The place was busy and they’d snagged one of the last empty tables.

‘Oh, look who it is.’ Izzy nodded and Hannah turned round.

Hannah caught her lip between her teeth. Conor. So much for avoiding him. There was a funny catch in her throat as she remembered that sizzling kiss last night.

She sneaked a glance towards him. He was with his brother, Fergus, and the two of them were in wetsuits with damp, tousled hair and carrying surf boards under their arms. No prizes for guessing where they’d spent the last few hours.

‘Hey!’ Fergus spotted them, waved and, without waiting for Conor, came over. ‘Hi, guys, do you mind if we join you?’ Without waiting for an answer, he plonked his board down and called over to his brother. ‘The usual. I’ll get it,’ and then he dashed off inside the cafe.

Conor nodded and Hannah saw his mouth tighten as he wandered over.

‘Afternoon. Been on the beach?’

‘Yes,’ Izzy gave him an enthusiastic smile, shunting up along the bench to allow him to sit down. ‘We went for a dip. Flipping freezing. I deduce from the boards that you’ve been surfing.’

‘Well done, Sherlock.’ Conor loosened up enough to give her one of his flashing grins. ‘Lovely morning for it. Don’t let me stop you eating.’ He nodded to the tins of chips in front of them.

‘Oops,’ said Izzy. ‘Caught.’

‘I’m not going to judge you.’

‘I feel guilty, but there’s just something about a big, fat greasy chip.’

‘Don’t let Adrienne hear you say that,’ teased Hannah.

‘No,’ said Conor, giving her a quick smile.

Izzy said. ‘Although you have to say, just look at her, she positively glows with health. She’s one hell of an advert for good living. Like, she could be a model or something even though she must be, what, in her fifties?’

‘I’m far too much of a gentleman to reveal my mother’s age.’

‘She’s like the original earth mother,’ continued Izzy. ‘Just gorgeous.’

‘I’d like to be like that when I grow up,’ said Hannah wistfully, thinking of Adrienne’s effortless elegance.

Conor raised one eyebrow as if to say, Really?

She would have asked him what was wrong with that if it hadn’t been for the arrival of his brother with two steaming cups.