Flynn grinned. “You can come again whenever you like.”

From the passenger side, Flynn senior glanced around at his grandson. “I used to look like that once, all tall, dark, and devilish.”

Lily pulled a face. “Yes, and lacking in confidence, as I remember.”

The Drummond scenery gave way to sweeping country lanes before we reached the popular spread of hills that identified Cairntilloch, but which were now sunken in darkness.

There was a crisp woody scent to the evening air.

Kerry eased her car up to the kerb outside Flynn senior’s impressively sprawling townhouse.

None of us had even vacated Kerry’s Nexus before Mrs Oates appeared at the wrought-iron gated entrance. She stabbed in the code and surveyed us all. She was sporting a wax-coated knee-length apron decorated with sunflowers. Her hair was coiffed. “My word. I never expected this tonight.”

Lily disappeared deeper into her stylish shawl. “I’m so sorry about all of this. Flynn said—”

Mrs Oates stepped forward in her gold boat shoes, her dark blue eyes kind. “No need to apologise. This house could be doing with chatter and noise.” She extended a warm hand. “I’m Mary, Mr Talbot’s housekeeper and jailer.”

Lily couldn’t stop herself from laughing. “You don’t seem to be doing a very good job of the jailer bit.”

“Ah. You noticed. Well, if you know the old reprobate at all, you’ll realise keeping him on the straight and narrow is easier said than done.” She delivered a welcoming smile. “You must be Lily. It’s lovely to meet you at last.”

A growling engine from another car interrupted the introductions. Mrs Oates peered past Lily’s shoulder. “Oh, it’s your son and daughter-in-law, Mr Talbot.”

A smart bullet-grey Mercedes pulled to a stop behind Kerry’s car and Carl and Diana Talbot stepped out, surveying the cluster of us with bemusement.

“Hi Dad,” said Flynn, clutching at my hand. “Surprise!”

Carl Talbot appraised his son and patted him on the back. “Any idea what all this is in aid of? You didn’t give much away over the phone.”

“I think I might have a rough idea,” muttered Flynn, arching his brows at me.

Flynn’s mother stepped up and delivered a kiss to his stubbled cheek. “I wish I had.”

Flynn senior introduced us all to one another with aplomb and then clapped his hands together in a business-like fashion. “Right. Let’s all go inside shall we, before we take root out here.”

Flynn leant in to my ear. “Sorry about this. We haven’t been out on our first date yet and you’ve already met my parents.”

“Who said I was going to go out with you?”

I returned Flynn’s lazy grin.