‘No. God, I’m not hairy, am I?’ I glance down as though I’m half expecting to see tufts poking out. ‘I meant I’ve never had to get ready for a first date!’

He frowns. ‘What do you mean, never had to—’

‘Well not never, ever, obviously. But not for ages, and last time it was different. It’s complicated.’ A rush of disappointment hits me, and I’d been doing so well at ignoring it. The whole splitting up, and it looking more and more likely each day that I am never, ever going to find another date. I babble to cover it up. ‘And it took ages to get here, and I don’t even like this place much.’

‘Here,’ he clicks his fingers and more drinks magically appear. Had I finished mine? I can’t even remember drinking it. The first sip, yes. But, after that? ‘O—kay. You’re not upset.’

‘I’m not upset.’ Okay, I am. But I sniff it up and refuse to give in.

‘But you did find a date, so that’s a good start, eh?’ He is looking at me encouragingly, like my mother used to when I’d failed my driving tests but hadn’t got minors in absolutely every category.

‘I didn’t exactly find a date. Not in real life.’ I am never going to see Noah again, so I can admit it all to him in this moment. ‘I found him on Tinder. I’ve never actually met the guy. This was supposed to be our first date.’

‘And he’s blown you out? Wow, what a douche! You see, that’s the trouble with matching up with some guy on an app, he’s not met you in person.’

‘Er, that’s the point.’

‘But if he’s not met you then he doesn’t know what he’s missing!’ He leans in a bit, puts his hand over mine. ‘See, it’s a bit like when you’ve said you’ll go to a gig to support a friend, but not actually had to pay for tickets. Easy to do a no-show!’

‘You’ve done that?’ I roll my eyes. ‘What a slimeball.’ A tiny glimmer of something positive warms me up inside. Noah seems to have that effect on me. ‘I’m just a ticket Gabe never had to pay for, and he thinks he’s spotted something better? Like a good film on TV?’ I grin.

Noah chuckles and shakes his head. ‘I didn’t say that! But I’m glad I made you smile.’

I glance at my phone. I can’t help myself. Just to make sure there isn’t a message.

‘Forget him.’ Noah booms out loud, slamming his hand onto the bar right next to my phone sending it skittering to the floor. ‘You’ve just found a better gig!’

I look at him and raise an eyebrow. There’s nothing wrong with Noah, he’s funny, but he’s not a date.

‘Okay,’ he puts his hands over his face, but is peeking through, ‘you can’t forget him, it’s too early.’ He does a fake sob.

‘God, you are such a clown!’ I laugh.