‘More than enough, I feel all manly and admired again.’ I’m not sure if he’s being funny in a dry way, or serious now. ‘But I wasn’t really planning on woo-ing in wellies.’

‘Wellies is how I roll,’ I say firmly. ‘Are you in, or out?’

‘Oh I’m in.’ He chuckles again, in a very seductive way. Men like Noah just have it too easy; one chuckle, or cheeky grin, or compliment, from a man like him and I’m thinking of rolling over to have my tummy tickled. Life is so unfair. ‘You haven’t got all this on a list, have you?’ His voice is tinged with suspicion.

I ignore him and don’t answer.

‘Thought so. Well that’s one thing I’m going to have to fix! Right then,’ briskness has taken over, which means any second now he’s going to hang up, which strangely enough makes me feel like I want to keep him talking just a little bit longer, ‘what time and place does your list say?’

‘Are you free on Saturday morning?’

‘I certainly can be!’

‘Oh.’ Despite the urgency of the situation, and my determination to try this out, he replies so quickly I am wrong-footed. No way out now!

‘Ten o’clock in the park?’

‘Fantastic, just around the corner from my place. Look forward to it. It’s a date!’

And he disconnects before I have time to correct him and point out that it is not actually a date, it is more of a business appointment.

Which reminds me. There is one aspect I have to be totally clear about before we meet.

I redial.

‘Bloody hell, woman, you’re keen!’

If any other man said this, I would be embarrassed and tongue-tied. But this is Noah and I’m getting used to his teasing ways.

‘I need to ask you something.’

‘Fire away.’

It needs to be said, before this goes any further. ‘You’re not expensive, are you?’

‘What?’

I cringe and hold the phone away from my ear; he said that with some force.

‘Bloody hell, Rosie! What do you think I’m offering here? I’m not some sort of gigolo you know!’

‘Sorry, sorry, sorry!’ I suddenly feel very hot and bothered and have to waft the bottom of my jumper. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean that, I didn’t say you were!’ What am I getting into? ‘Gigolos do sex! I don’t want sex! I told you!’ Even on a phone, when he can’t see me, this is embarrassing. I am worse at this than I ever imagined.

‘I gathered that last time we met.’ His tone is dry but has dropped to a gentler level. ‘Of course, I don’t want to be paid. Hang on, that’s something else I need to put on the list.’

‘What list?’

‘You aren’t the only one with lists, my girl. This is going on the things Rosie needs list, diplomacy, tact, you know sneaking in there and not being quite so direct. I can take it, but,’ he does a low whistle, ‘not every man can. We’re a sensitive lot you know.’