‘I bet! You’ll have to tell me the whole story over a glass of wine and a burnt sausage! Oh heck, you both need to bugger off, I’m on call and that’s my pager going off. I really hope it’s something easy. I’m so knackered I’m not sure I can do any major putting back together things.’

‘You’ll be fine, little sis.’ Noah grins and kisses the top of her head.

‘Er you’re a bit sweaty smelly, what have you been doing? Where’ve you been?’ She eyes him up and down.

‘Climbing wall,’ I say, when he remains silent.

‘Haha, Noah up a climbing wall, that’s hilarious. The man who wouldn’t be seen dead in some pretend, health and safety infected … Hang on, you’re being serious? Really? Wow, you must be keen, big bro! Wow, wow, wow, I am so going to corner you, Rosie, so you can dish the dirt when he’s not listening in!’ She’s still sniggering and saying ‘climbing wall’ and ‘Tinder’ under her breath as she sees us to the door, follows us out and gets into the car. ‘Go and shower, get changed and come back tomorrow – and don’t forget to grab some beers! I’ll let you know what Dan says later. See you tomorrow, nice to meet you, Rosie!’

I glance at Noah; he doesn’t look bothered, he doesn’t look cross. He shakes his head and winks. ‘Sisters eh?’

Oh bugger, this is getting complicated though. Awkward. How do I tell her? Obviously, it is dead easy over a burger and sausage to say ‘your brother is giving me lessons in seduction. We met when I got stood up by your mate’s two-timing husband. Then he rescued me from a Great Dane who’d wrapped me round a tree, and that clinched it.’

Sure, I really am going to say that. Uh oh, weirdo alert. She’ll probably think I’ve created the whole Gavin/Gabe thing and am now going to ruin her brother’s life.

‘We better do as instructed then and bugger off, then I better go shopping for burgers and beers or I’ll forget and never hear the last of it. Ready to go?’

I am, so I say so. I need time to regroup. To think about Dad, Gabe and how on earth I’ve managed to get invited to Noah’s family barbecue.

We travel most of the way in silence but have just turned into my road when Noah clears his throat. ‘Fancy popping home, freshening up,’ he holds a hand up as though he expects me to object, ‘though you look fine to me, and going out for a drink? I was wondering if you needed some prep before you meet climbing man? I can pick you up in an hour, if that’s enough time?’

I think this might be a tentative olive branch after he was nasty to me at the top of the wall. ‘You mean Stuart?’

‘Him.’

‘It’s okay, I don’t—’

‘No, it’s fine. I want to help,’ Noah says in his firm, listen to me voice.