‘What?’ said Charlie. ‘Well that’s amazing! I assume you’ve officially forgiven him then?’

‘I mean, sure. The woman I saw him with – it was his ex. And so much has happened since then that … you know. Bygones.’

‘Right.’

‘Was that a bad idea?’

‘To forgive and forget?’

‘No. To snog him.’

‘Tell me why you think it could be a bad idea.’

‘Well. For one, Thomas. For two, Priyesh.’

‘Ohmygod,’ said Charlie. ‘You’re not even in a love triangle. You’re in a love … square!’

‘I don’t know what to do next.’

‘Do you have to do anything?’

‘That’s why I need this pep talk! I don’t know!’

Penny’s mind had raced all through lunch service. Francesco worked at the opposite end of the kitchen and it was a busy shift, so they’d both been focused and in the zone. But as her hands moved and she plated up food and called out orders to Manuela, in her head she’d been somewhere else.

Priyesh was filthy and serious.

Thomas was adventurous and free.

Francesco was her friend, above all else.

Was it possible to feel deeply about three men equally, for different reasons, in different ways? Penny didn’t know the answer, but half-resolved that maybe she didn’t need to. She wasn’t sure what would happen next with Francesco. It was only a kiss. But, he’d also said I love you. She loved him too, she just didn’t know to what extent. Everything had changed now she knew that woman had been his ex. She knew how he felt about her – about Valentina. What she’d done to him when she cheated. There was no way he’d been seeing her again. Penny believed that much. ‘The obvious question is: are you actually in love with any of them?’ Charlie probed.

‘I don’t want to screw up what Francesco and I have,’ Penny said. ‘Since he’s been here everything has felt manageable. Do-able. Even enjoyable. I like having him here. But do I think I can trust him with my heart? I want to. I think he looks after me the best he can but hasn’t he proven that he doesn’t deserve my trust?’

‘Does that mean he doesn’t get a second chance?’ asked Charlie. ‘If you want to give him one, that is.’

‘You’re being a pussy,’ said Sharon, down the phone, after Penny had explained everything to her. ‘Listen, lord knows I’m not his biggest fan. I was Team Thomas all the way. Well. Then I was Team Priyesh all the way. But if what Francesco says is true, my reasons for hating him on your behalf don’t stand up. You’ve already wasted too much time treading on eggshells with each other. It’s now or never! Team Francesco!’

Penny felt sick as she listened.