***

I needn’t have worried about any possibility of my relationship with Noah taking a wrong turn, because the first thing he says when I sit down in the café is: ‘I’ve got the number of a brilliant nail salon if you’re interested! You said you were thinking of getting them done?’

‘How do you know it’s brilliant?’ I say suspiciously. ‘You don’t get yours done, do you?’

‘No.’ He grins. I imagine if he did decide to get a manicure, he’d get away with it.

‘Don’t tell me.’ I hold up a hand, ‘Sadie’s back!’

‘Nope. This was Helen.’

‘Who’s Helen?’

‘Keep up, Rosie! I went out with her last night.’

‘Sadie?’

‘Definitely gone.’

‘What is it with you and women?’

‘I like them.’ He grins. ‘A lot.’ My stomach does a little dive. Okay, I know he’s not the man for me – but right now he’s reminding me of that other man in my life. Dad. Just when I was starting to think that he isn’t actually much like him at all. ‘Can’t blame me, can you?’

‘But you don’t stick with anybody.’ I give him my disapproving look. ‘How can you know what somebody is like if you don’t hang around and get to know them?’ I suppose the one big difference is that he’s not actually being unfaithful, but why can’t he just be more, more, well … Not more like Robbie. Maybe it’s easier to say why isn’t he less like Dad?

‘You’ll get lines if you frown like that!’

‘You can’t distract me that easily.’

‘Look, Rosie.’ He puts his menu down carefully and looks me in the eye. ‘I know your dad is a bit of a shit—’

‘I never said that!’

He puts his hand over mine. ‘You didn’t have to. I’ve seen the effect he has on you every time he gets in touch! Look, Rosie, I care about you.’

‘Huh.’ I scowl.

‘You’re cool, you’re cute, but I reckon you might have some,’ he pauses and studies me for a moment as though he’s unsure whether or not to carry on.

‘Go on.’ I say stiffly. ‘Hit me with it. I’m immune to personal insults.’

‘No, you’re not.’ His tone is soft. ‘And you shouldn’t be. You also shouldn’t have these trust issues with men. We’re not all the enemy. Give us a chance.’

‘I don’t have trust—’ I’m getting hot under the collar, and practically bristling.

‘You—’

‘Can’t you just be nice?’

‘Look I’m trying to be.’ He looks slightly indignant. ‘I’m always nice!’

‘No, you’re not. You can’t call my dad a shit!’

‘He’s not exactly nice and supportive, is he?’ he says reasonably. Then leans forward. I scowl. ‘Anyway, the point here is, I’m not your dad. I’m not married, I’m not offering commitment, I just like women, I like having fun, and I like to date. Okay? It doesn’t make me enemy number one, just not the man for you. We’re all different, Rosie. I’m not the enemy, I’m just a guy with his own reasons for doing what he does, and I don’t need you to judge me.’ His steady gaze is a bit unnerving, so I look down at my own menu. He puts a finger under my chin. There’s a minor tussle while I try and keep it down and he tries to make me look at him, but the power of his finger wins. ‘Okay?’