‘Sorry, I couldn’t resist.’ Ella grinned, flinging open the door and climbing into the passenger seat. Roman’s eyes were wide. ‘You frightened the life out of me!’ He quickly ruffled the front of his hair whilst checking his appearance in the mirror.

‘Don’t worry, you weren’t dribbling.’

‘That’s a bonus, but more importantly, how’s Dolores?’

‘Hopefully home by tomorrow, fingers crossed. She’s going to be just fine, and I’ve had a very interesting history lesson. Did you know that The Lakehouse was the start of Dolores’ career? Back in the day that restaurant was a gold mine.’

‘Mmm, let’s hope this marketing meeting today can produce some ideas to turn the place around and make it into a gold mine again.’

‘I’m sure Flynn won’t go down without a fight.’

‘Here,’ Roman reached to the dashboard and held up a cardboard cup. ‘I’ve only just closed my eyes after getting you a skinny latte from the coffee van. It should still be hot.’

‘Skinny… are you trying to tell me something?’ Ella jested, putting her hand to her chest, pretending to be hurt. ‘Do I need to go on a diet?’ she teased with a glint in her eyes.

‘Hell no,’ replied Roman over-enthusiastically, causing Ella to laugh. ‘You look mighty fine to me.’

‘I’m only winding you up.’ She grinned, about to take the drink from him.

‘Good job I’m winding you up, then, isn’t it? I got you a luxury hot chocolate with all the trimmings, mine is the skinny latte,’ Roman patted his stomach. ‘I really need to lose a few pounds… unlike some.’

Ella’s eyes widened as Roman produced the most scrumptious-looking drink in a cup from the drinks holder. ‘Wow! Look at that!’

‘You have marshmallows, cream, chocolate flakes and enough calories to sink the titanic, and I hope it tastes as good as it looks.’

‘Now that’s more like it.’ Ella was impressed by his kindness. ‘Thank you!’ she said, taking a sip of the hot chocolate, leaving a moustache of cream above her lip.

‘You’re welcome,’ he replied, bursting into laughter as he put the key in the ignition.

‘What? What are you laughing at?’

Roman looked at her in amusement and gestured to her top lip, which Ella immediately wiped clean with the back of her hand, then quickly checked her reflection in the mirror on the back of the sun visor.

‘Right, let’s get you home.’

Luckily, Bette was playing ball when Ella reached for her seatbelt and clunked it in place, but when Roman attempted to turn over the engine, nothing happened. Thankfully she started on the third attempt. He patted the steering wheel. ‘That’s my girl.’