‘Since I left school at sixteen. George owns a car sales showroom and his mate Smudge runs the repairs, servicing and MOT side of it. If you’ve got a problem with your car, whatever it is, I can fix it for you.’

‘I’ll remember that.’

‘Shall we try this one?’

He pointed to the Lotus Garden.

Inside, the waitress led them to a table for two and Carl pulled out a chair for Jane to sit on before gently easing it forward. Carl ordered a pint of lager and Jane said she’d have a half. They looked through the menu in silence as the waitress served their drinks.

‘Cheers,’ he said, raising his glass.

‘Cheers.’ She clinked her glass against his.

‘Do you want to choose your own or have a set meal for two?’

‘Meal B looks good to me.’

‘Some crispy duck pancakes to start?’

‘My favourite!’

He called over the waitress and she took the order.

‘So, you’ve just started at Nick’s cafe?’

‘I’m only there for a week or so, just helping out until he gets a new waitress.’

‘Oh, that’s a shame. What do you do otherwise?’

‘I work for my father as his secretary. He’s an accountant, but I used to do waitressing during my school holidays.’

Carl made a sour face. ‘I hope he’s nicer than my stepfather.’

‘I have to say, I didn’t like him. He was really rude, and I thought the way he spoke to you in front of me was appalling.’

‘He does it all the time; he’s an ignorant bully.’

‘Why don’t you work somewhere else?’

‘I can’t afford to just now. He bought a shitty one-bedroom flat to get me out of the house and charges me a nominal rent to live there. I’ve been saving every penny I can as I’d like to start a garage of my own, or maybe buy a van and do mobile servicing and repairs.’

‘That’s a brilliant idea.’

The waitress served the crispy duck.

‘Tuck in.’

He offered Jane a pancake.

The food was delicious, and Carl behaved like a perfect gentleman. There was a part of her that felt bad about what she was doing, but it was her job. Now Jane knew Carl disliked George, she wondered if he would say more that might be useful.

‘Your uncle Tommy seemed a bit nicer.’

‘He’s OK, but him and George are as thick as thieves, like my father and Smudge, which is another reason I want to get away from the garage.’

‘You make it sound like they’re up to no good.’

He hesitated for a moment. ‘George and Smudge were in prison together.’

‘What for?’ she asked, feigning surprise.