‘But I’m work—’

‘You must get a lunchbreak!’

‘I’ve only just started, it’s nowhere near lunchtime!’ I’m torn, I would actually quite like to go shopping. It’s kind of exciting, being with somebody who doesn’t have any preconceptions, or expectations. Somebody who thinks anything is possible. But I’m supposed to be working.

‘Coffee break?’

‘She does, she does. Off you go.’ Bea has caught up with us. ‘I’ll hold the fort.’

I look at Noah. Hesitate.

‘Go!’ Bea has booted us out of the doorway and pulled it firmly shut behind us. We turn round and then I glance back. She is wiping her brow with the back of her hand, then does a dramatic swoon. I can’t help myself. I snigger.

‘And I thought you were weird!’ Noah chuckles. ‘Come on, call this lesson 2. Riotous Rosie rediscovered!’

‘I hate to disappoint you, but I’ve never been riotous.’ I think about the black leather jacket and green hair.

‘I bet you have,’ he taps the side of his head, ‘in here! Right where do you want to start?’

‘Small? Something not too noticeable.’ Then I’ll work up the courage to go wild.

‘I’ve got just the thing! Start at the bottom and work up as they say!’

I hope this doesn’t mean high heels. I can’t do high heels; they make my bottom stick out and my legs go rigid.

‘Oh, and I’ve come prepared,’ Noah continues, unaware of my fear of footwear.

‘You thought I’d say yes!’

‘I knew you’d say yes. I’m irresistible!’ He grins, dips into his pocket and pulls out a slightly squashed chicken wrap. ‘Here’s lunch. Never say I don’t give you anything.’

I sigh. ‘Okay, I’m all yours.’

He chuckles. ‘Well I never thought I’d hear you say that!’

‘Stop it.’ I give him my severe look but feel a little bit – as my gran would say – chuffed. ‘You know what I mean. Lead the way.’

We’ve taken approximately fifteen steps, I’ve only taken one and a half bites of my wrap, when he stops.

‘Oh my God, no!’ I splutter a mouthful of Southern fried chicken in all directions, and a dog leaps at my hand – which has dropped to my side. ‘Shit!’

‘What?’ Noah blinks at me.

‘That bugger took half of my lunch!’ I swear that bloody animal winked at me, before trotting on alongside his owner, who is totally oblivious to the fact that she has the canine equivalent of the artful dodger in tow.

‘Never mind, I’ll get you another one, after we’ve …’

‘No way, I did not mean that! I am not going in there. Is this what you meant by riotous? You have so got the wrong girl!’ I dig my heels in and gesture at the shop window. Wherever my search for self-confidence had been taking me, it was not here – a lingerie shop. ‘It’s that shop! Nope, big no.’

Noah carried on walking after I’d stopped, and we’re now stretched at arm’s length. Did I mention the fact that he’d taken hold of my hand just after he’d handed over lunch? Well, to be honest I’d hardly registered it, well I had registered it, but not in a horrified ‘oh gawd, what’s he doing, how do I react? Is my hand sweaty?’ kind of way. It had just felt natural, fine. Until now. He tugs gently, persuasively. I don’t want to be persuaded. I tug back, then try and shake myself free. ‘Forget it. I am NOT going in there with you.’