‘We’re supposed to look into each other’s eyes when we’re done with the questions,’ Thomas said. ‘That’s the important bit. The instructions said so.’

‘I’m looking into your eyes right now,’ Penny said.

‘This much is true,’ conceded Thomas, grinning. ‘But … can we do it properly? Not that I don’t enjoy having your legs wrapped around me – I don’t want you to move – but talking to you this way, getting to know you … I like it. I like you.’ His hands lay proprietorially on her thighs.

‘Me too,’ said Penny, pulling back her face from his so that she could see his full expression. ‘You make me feel differently about being here.’

‘I do?’

‘Yeah. I know you’re going again and everything, but you’ve shown me a side of Derbyshire that really means something to me. The walking and the landmarks and places to go and stuff. I was in danger of being a London snob all my life.’

‘I think we can be both,’ Thomas said. ‘It’s possible to love London, and miss London, but also see the good in everywhere else. For me, it’s medicine.’

‘I’m glad you shook me out of my bad mood that day,’ Penny said. ‘I’m glad you didn’t let me be a moody-bum with you.’

‘Well, I wasn’t expecting … you.’

Penny furrowed her eyebrows in question.

‘I was expecting somebody older, maybe. Or more … matronly. Not a hot thirty-something with a spunky attitude.’

‘Spunky attitude!’ Penny said, mock-outraged.

‘You’re not exactly Little Miss Sunshine, are you? You’re like Little Ms Independent Woman, or something.’

‘There’s a compliment in there somewhere, I’m sure,’ Penny said.

‘No, it is. You’re not a pushover. I like it. It challenges me. Okay,’ he got serious now. ‘Time to stare at each other.’

‘Set an alarm on your phone,’ Penny instructed.

‘Yes, Ms Independent Woman,’ Thomas replied, leaning to one side to pick it up and program it with one hand. The other, Penny realized, was now on her bum. She liked the feel of him claiming her that way, touching her where other people couldn’t.

‘Four minutes staring,’ Thomas said. ‘No laughing, okay?’

‘Okay,’ said Penny.

‘And go.’