‘You certainly have. We need a spare key and you’ve saved us a trip to get one cut.’ He holds his hand out, and she drops the key into the palm without a murmur. ‘And there’s no cat to feed yet, or parcels due, or imminent holiday, is there?’ He looks straight at me.

‘No.’ I mouth. How did he know how desperately I wanted my key back? How can he think of a way so quickly? How can he make Rhonda putty in his hands like that?

‘Of course, dear. You only have to ask!’ I have asked, several times; we have been at a key impasse. ‘Anything to help. It’s so nice to see Rosie with a man again. Did she tell you about Robbie? He went a bit strange. I mean, what kind of man wanders off with a rucksack on his own for months on end like that? At his age as well! He used to have a proper job, you know, and now look at him! It’s all yurts and sheep. Did you know he got married?’ I’m not sure if she’s asking me or Noah, but I nod anyway. ‘Well, that’s my good deed for the day, so I’ll be off! I will see you again, won’t I?’ That comment is definitely aimed at Noah.

‘I’m sure you will. You’re a star.’ And he somehow manages to usher her out of the door at double fast speed while kissing her on the cheek. I can hear her humming as she walks down the path; any second now she’ll be skipping.

‘How did you do that?’

‘They don’t call me the charmer for nothing.’ He smiles, but this time it’s not cheeky, it’s soft at the edges. ‘She just wants to feel needed.’

‘I know but thank you! That was pretty,’ I try not to grin, ‘masterful.’

‘Wow, compliments!’

‘Don’t let it go to your head!’

‘You’ll be saying you like me next.’ He chuckles, but luckily doesn’t wait for a response. ‘Anyway, we can’t risk having her dropping in on you once we’ve managed to get a load of hot dates lined up, can we?’

I feel faint. ‘They don’t have to be hot,’ I say weakly. Hot men are bad for me. Lukewarm is better, much, much better. Lukewarm with only moderately sexy legs.

He winks. ‘They will be though; they’ll be beating a path to your door! Now come on, let’s get a sweat on.’

I’m so glad Rhonda wasn’t here to hear that. ‘But you’ve got work to do, you can’t, I can’t …’

‘I knew you didn’t mean it when you said you’d go on your own, so I said I’d be late in work this morning. I’ll make it up this evening. Come on, chop chop or we won’t get a proper workout!’

Oh gawd. A workout. I’m going all hot and cold at the idea.

‘You took time off just to help me?’

He rubs his hands together. ‘I thought you had a target of your parents’ party?’