‘It was,’ Francesco said. ‘And you’re already forgiven.’

‘Thank you. So, you really quit your job?’

Francesco grimaced. ‘Not my finest hour. But yes. I took my knives and got out of there before I could piss him off any more,’ he said. ‘Can I interest you in my pastry skills? I heard a rumour you might be going for the Bib Gourmand and little old Chef Cipolla might be able to help.’

‘I can’t believe you’re here,’ Penny said. ‘Just like that.’ She loved that he was. She loved that a part of her old life was in her new life, and that Priyesh had just asked her out, and that sometimes, when she least expected it, everything could feel do-able and light and fun. Francesco had once told her she over-complicated things, and in that moment she resolved to herself not to do that anymore. Francesco was here, and he was her friend. That was that.

‘I should have called on the way here,’ he said. ‘For a minute it almost looked like you had forgotten I was coming.’

‘No!’ said Penny. ‘I didn’t forget! I just, well, Priyesh …’

‘Handsome man,’ said Francesco.

‘Is it weird if you know I’m dating somebody else?’

Francesco looked in the direction Priyesh had left in. ‘Nah,’ he said. ‘I’m just happy we’re talking again.’

‘Well,’ Penny said. ‘Good.’

‘I’m excited to meet everyone properly,’ Francesco declared. ‘Everyone you’ve talked about, everyone you’ve done impressions of down the phone,’ he said.

‘Don’t think I’m getting soft or anything,’ Penny said. ‘But it might be nice to share it all with somebody, actually – to show somebody who understands how hard all this is, what we’ve achieved.’

‘Excellent!’

‘So what’s next? Did you really just ask me for a job?’

‘Maybe after service we can make a coffee and sit on the back step as you have your fag and talk about it all,’ Francesco laughed. ‘Because to be honest, I’ve got no clue myself.’

‘Who amongst us does?’ Penny laughed. ‘That’s supposed to be the fun of it, apparently.’

Penny left Francesco in the bar chatting with Charlie, who commented as Penny passed back through to the kitchen, ‘You left here with one and came back with another!’ Penny rolled her eyes. Charlie made it sound as though she was collecting men. She wasn’t, obviously.

‘Francesco is my friend,’ Penny said, as way of explanation. ‘F-R-I-E-N-D.’

‘The friend you talk to every morning when you’re prepping?’

‘Yes,’ said Penny. ‘Exactly that.’

‘Uh-huh,’ said Charlie, and Penny didn’t know what that noise was exactly supposed to mean. Hadn’t Charlie been all for Francesco’s friendly visit?