She led him to the back porch of the pub, which led out to the steps and the car park.

‘Charlie was listening,’ she said, as way of explanation.

‘I’d imagine so,’ Priyesh said. ‘I long ago tried to side-step the prying eyes and ears of the village. Sometimes I throw them a bone. A bit of gossip to get their teeth into. I wonder how long it will take for everyone down at The Boot to know I’m here,’ he added, referencing the other pub in the village. ‘I have to confess I tend to head in there myself when I’m hungry for a bit of village chatter.’

‘Listen,’ Penny started, not sure what she was going to say next. Maybe: sorry about that hand-job I gave you, I can see how you might have the wrong impression. Or, I hope the stain came out of your suit. Or, I am not emotionally mature enough for this conversation, please just cease to exist. She wasn’t, of course, proud of herself.

‘The party,’ Priyesh said, instead. ‘It took me by surprise.’

Penny nodded. ‘Me too.’

‘And I’m not sure what the etiquette is for that situation—’

‘Me neither.’

‘But, your note was …’

‘Yeah.’

‘So the flowers are to say thank you for your thank you. And as a gateway to ask if, perhaps, should your schedule permit, you’d consider letting me take you out for dinner. I’d very much enjoy getting to know you.’

‘Expensive way to get tossed off again,’ Penny kidded.

‘What?’ said Priyesh.

‘I was being silly. Sorry. I’m embarrassed, I think.’

‘Embarrassed,’ repeated Priyesh, colour rising to his cheeks.

‘Oh!’ said Penny. ‘Not because – not because of you. Embarrassed by me. That I … you know. Did that. And—’

‘Right,’ said Priyesh. ‘I’ve misread this, then.’ He said it as a statement.

‘No!’ Penny exclaimed. ‘None of this is your fault. I’m just worried, is all, that work and play shouldn’t overlap, and that we have a professional relationship. I overstepped a boundary. I think I behaved improperly.’

‘That was the thrill,’ Priyesh said.

Penny didn’t know what to say to that. Before the party she’d thought he was uptight and boring, but now, after getting better acquainted, he was playful and provocative. She felt nervous around him, actually – his grown-up-ness and his manicured beard and the respect he obviously had for himself. And his directness, too – a man who said what he wanted and knew the diplomatic way to go about getting it was very attractive.

‘Yes,’ she settled on, grinning, now. ‘I suppose it was.’

‘I know every place worth eating at in a fifty-mile radius, and exactly what wine to order when we’re there. Plus, maybe there’s something in it for me, too …’

‘And what’s that?’ Penny asked.

‘I love learning about food. If we went out to dinner, maybe you could broaden my culinary horizons somewhat.’