Penny went out of the bottom of the kitchen into the restaurant part of the pub, to where they kept the laundry. She pulled out three towels and a handful of linen napkins, rushing back through to the kitchen to see, from one end to the other, the three men glistening and panting, adrenaline pumping through everyone’s veins.

Priyesh didn’t, technically, know about Thomas. Francesco knew about Thomas and Priyesh, in theory, but not since their kiss. Thomas knew better than to ask about Francesco or Priyesh, but could just about establish that situation if he used his imagination. Penny looked at the three men and knew the truth about her relationship to them all.

Not that it could last.

She was ready to make her choice.

As the four of them gathered themselves, drying off, there was a sudden moment of awkwardness. The three men didn’t know each other well at all, and now that the adrenaline was winding down it was odd, really, to be semi-nude with a bunch of strange blokes. In the awkwardness, Francesco reached out to the back of Penny’s neck – his port in the social storm. It was proprietorial, but he needed it as comfort. Penny looked up at him and he grinned at her, and she didn’t know how to tell him now wasn’t the time to lay claim to her. He could do that later, once they’d talked. She hadn’t even told Priyesh or Thomas what she wanted, yet.

Priyesh clocked Francesco’s hand on Penny, and didn’t like it.

‘Darling,’ he said, taking her hand. ‘Let’s get some dry clothes from upstairs.’

Francesco looked at Priyesh in surprise. He didn’t like that he was talking to Penny – his Penny – in such a familiar tone. And why was he holding her hand? He lightly tugged at her neck, pulling her towards him.

Priyesh pulled her towards him.

Francesco pulled again.

Penny deftly retrieved her arm from Priyesh’s grip and bent down to take off her sodden trainers, releasing Francesco’s hand from her. Thomas shook his head of blonde curls, combing his hair out of his face with his hands. As he did it he caught sight of Penny, hair in loose damp waves around her face and rain caught in her eyelashes and exclaimed, ‘Pen, you look well fit right now.’

Priyesh looked mildly confused at that, but Francesco understood what he’d said loud and clear and immediately sent him daggers.

‘Oh,’ continued Thomas, clocking both men’s reactions. ‘It seems I’m not the only one who’s thinking it …’

Priyesh frowned. ‘Penny?’ he said, and the way he said it made Francesco understand he felt they were somehow still involved.

‘Ah,’ Francesco said. ‘I’m sorry, mate. Hasn’t she told you?’

‘Told me what?’

‘That we’re … well. Not “back” together, but … you know … together.’

‘What?’ said Penny. ‘We’re not back together.’