‘I’m a bit of a novice.’ He shrugged, embarrassed, picking his dinner off his crotch.

Greg nodded at the waitress and a fork was subtly delivered in seconds. Tim looked at it for a moment and then picked it up. ‘Never seen the point of the twigs, as you can’t stab –’ he speared a piece of beef – ‘your food.’

He looked at Kate, who had deftly manoeuvred up a mouthful of rice. She shrugged. ‘I used to work in a Thai restaurant.’

‘So, what do you do, Tim?’ asked Greg.

‘I’m a bus driver.’

‘I’ve always wondered about you bus drivers. Whether you’re secret petrol heads. What do you drive?’

‘A bus,’ said Tim, flatly.

Greg’s friendly smile faltered.

Tim got a pang of guilt and added: ‘How about you? What do you drive?’

‘Black Jaguar XJ saloon.’

‘Ever take the bus?’

‘Afraid not.’

‘Didn’t think so.’

Tim was smiling but Kate could sense his irritation. She nudged his foot under the table.

‘Bet you get a lot of driver training for a job like that,’ said Greg.

‘Yes.’

‘If you ever want a change, I could do with people like you on our crew.’

A minuscule silence.

‘I’m fine as I am, thanks,’ said Tim.

‘Well, you know where to find me if you change your mind. Here, let me give you this.’ Greg fished in his jacket pocket and put a business card on the table. Kate noticed that Tim took it about three seconds later than would be polite.

‘OK,’ said Greg, picking up the menu. ‘Anyone for dessert?’

‘He was just being nice. Friendly,’ said Kate as they lay in bed that night. She frowned – the lamplight seemed so bright – and closed her eyes to block it out.

‘He was being patronizing. “I could do with people like you,”’ Tim mimicked. ‘He doesn’t even know me. I could be a kamikaze racing driver for all he knows. Turning my wheel with a pair of chopsticks.’

Kate opened an eye and smiled. ‘OK, maybe a bit patronizing. But perhaps he was trying to make conversation.’

‘I’m sorry.’ Tim turned and put an arm around her. ‘I didn’t mean to spoil it for you.’

‘You didn’t.’

‘There’s just something about the way he was trying to buy me off. Like he could throw money at everything.’

‘Do you mean the bursary?’

‘No! Sorry. I think that’s an amazing thing. Something for Becky’s memory.’ He leaned up on his elbow, looked sheepish. ‘Maybe I’m just a bit jealous. Me in my scruffs and him all suited and booted.’

‘Hmm, you were overdressed in my view.’ She ran a hand over his bare chest. ‘I prefer this look.’

Kate closed her eyes again and he stroked her forehead. ‘Another headache?’

‘Yeah. And I only had one glass of champagne.’

‘That’s two days in a row now.’ Tim leaned over and switched off the bedside lamp. ‘Too much country air!’

EIGHTEEN

‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ said Iris the next morning. She was holding onto the side of the shopping trolley as Kate pushed it around the supermarket.