Steph let out a long, slow breath to steady her rapidly beating heart. It was true, something was different this time. Something she didn’t recognise and something that frightened her yet excited her at the same time. Something which made her want to throw caution to the wind. So much so that when he drew her towards him and planted his lips on hers she didn’t hesitate to respond, despite a voice in her head trying to warn her that this was dangerous. Harry was dangerous. The whole Sinclair family was dangerous. Yet, right at that moment, it was as though he had some mesmerising hold over her and there was nothing she could do to fight it, nothing she wanted to do.

When they broke for air, more from necessity than desire, Harry nuzzled her neck and breathed in deeply. ‘Let’s go inside,’ he said.

The few seconds it took to get indoors were all that was needed to break the moment. Stepping inside, Steph felt self-conscious and awkward. Harry closed the door and turned to kiss her, but something about her demeanour must have alerted him. He gave a long appraising look which was followed by a small smile.

‘Tea? Something stronger?’ he said.

Steph felt the tension in her body dissipate and she was grateful for his subtlety. ‘Tea would be nice.’

As Harry went into the kitchen to make her a drink, Steph took in her surroundings. The decor was calm and soothing, soft greys, warm whites and the odd splash of colour here and there. She was in the dining area, which was open plan to the living room at the front of the property. Oak furniture and oak flooring brought the lodge feel of the property into focus.

‘It’s a bit spartan,’ said Harry, coming out of the kitchen with two mugs in his hand. He nodded towards the living room.

‘I like the minimalistic look,’ said Steph. Although, to be fair, he had taken it to the extreme with just one sofa and a chair.

‘I got rid of a lot of stuff. I thought I wouldn’t be coming back here again once I left the business side of things,’ said Harry.

‘You never properly answered my question the other day – what made you come back?’ Steph asked. ‘If you don’t like it here and technically aren’t involved with the business any more, what was it?’

‘Because my mum asked me to come for the reopening. She wanted to put up a united front. It’s what the Sinclairs do.’ He gave a roll of his eyes. ‘I wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t asked. I try to spend as little time here as possible.’

‘Because of what happened?’

‘What do you think?’ He gave her a look which said she really didn’t have to ask.