Penny went through to the office and pulled out some headed notecards Clementine had gifted her two birthdays ago. With a patterned border of pink and red swirls, at the top it simply said, from the desk of Penny Bridge. She’d sent three of these since she got them, not really ever having occasion to send anything ‘from her desk’, but she realized that the cards were almost explicitly designed for this exact purpose – to politely recognize an event without dragging it out any further, and to a man exactly like Priyesh who most likely had his own embossed stationery that he used daily or weekly, not bi-annually.

Penny sat with the cap of the pen in her mouth, thinking about what to say. Charlie appeared at the door again.

‘For crying out loud,’ said Penny. ‘Are you just going to follow me around from doorframe to doorframe? What are you even doing here – we’re closed today.’

‘Well,’ said Charlie, ‘I left my phone here last night. But then as a bonus I didn’t expect to find you all discombobulated and so I’m staying because this is quite entertaining.’

‘What should I put in the note?’ Penny said. ‘If you’re going to make fun of me, at least be helpful as you do it.’

Charlie rested their head against the frame and thought about it. ‘Say,’ they considered, ‘that you were so pleased he could make it, and you look forward to continuing to work together in the new year.’

‘I can’t put a reference to a continued relationship,’ said Penny. ‘That makes it sound like I’m inviting him to pursue something.’

‘Just say, I’m so pleased you could come at my party. I mean, to my party.’

‘Ha, ha. Thank you.’ Penny rolled her eyes. She thought about it some more and wrote:

Dear Priyesh,

It was wonderful to see you at the Christmas party this week. Forgive my over-familiarity – call it the festive spirits, aka gin, vermouth and a tequila shot. I trust our working relationship will overcome any unduly forward interactions.

Happy holidays,

Penny.

Penny slipped it into an envelope, wrote his name across the front and said to Charlie, ‘Can you drop this by his house on the way home? Me and my hangover can’t quite face it.’

‘Sure,’ they replied. ‘Fix me a coffee first, though.’

Penny’s phone vibrated. Morning sunshine, a text from Thomas said. Just wanted to say you’re on my mind. Hope that’s okay. Have a good day!

Penny texted back, Hey! I hope tour is fun! I think about you too. Xxx

Her phone buzzed again. Do you need anything bringing up from the big city to the country hills? it said. I can get you anything you might be missing. Francesco.

There suddenly seemed to be more men than she could willingly handle.