Francesco nodded, his face impassive. Penny couldn’t get a read on him. The friend beside him said, ‘Do you guys need tip money? I’ve got change.’

Sharon held out her palm to reveal two coins. ‘We’ve sorted it,’ she said. ‘I found some in my bag.’ Penny could tell she was waiting to have the situation explained to her – how everyone knew one another.

There was a pause as Penny and Francesco took each other in, neither really smiling or frowning, just looking, both wondering what to say.

‘I didn’t text,’ Penny settled on, right as Francesco said, ‘Well, have a great night. This should be really good.’

‘Oh,’ said Penny. ‘Yes.’

‘Don’t worry about it.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Penny faltered.

‘What did you do?’ asked Sharon, looking between them, confused.

‘Enjoy your night,’ said Francesco’s friend. It all happened so fast. Francesco was already walking towards the dining room to be greeted by the hostess before Penny could think of anything to say to keep him chatting. She watched him go. The friend half-smiled at them and turned away himself.

‘Ahhh,’ Penny moaned, scrunching up her face.

‘What was that?’ probed Sharon. ‘Or rather, who was that?’

‘Oh god. He came in the café a couple of weeks ago and Stuart told him to leave his number for me but I didn’t use it. I think he was a bit embarrassed. Like I’d stood him up or something. I wonder why he’s here, and how he knows Dofi.’

‘Well,’ said Sharon, taking Penny’s coat from her for the porter. ‘You’d be embarrassed, too, wouldn’t you? If you hit on him and he said he’d call and then he changed his mind.’ She slid the tip money across the counter. ‘I mean, nobody died, but still. Even my ego would be bruised over that.’

‘I know,’ Penny said. She was still watching the space where Francesco had stood. He was even more attractive than she’d remembered. She felt awful that he’d seemed so awkward. Had she been awkward? She’d definitely been awkward.

‘Is there a reason you didn’t text him?’ Sharon said, following her gaze. ‘Because, if you don’t mind my saying so, that seems a little short-sighted. He’s …’

Penny exhaled through her nostrils loudly. ‘Yeah. He is.’ Then she added: ‘There was a reason. Like I said, and, may I remind you, you agreed it was a sound idea – I’m not doing men right now, am I?’

‘I’d do that one, though,’ snickered Sharon, raising her eyebrows suggestively, and Penny gave her a playful shove.

‘Do you think he’s too handsome?’ Penny asked, letting the waiter unroll her napkin and place it on her lap. ‘Look at him. A man like that could rely on his face for his whole life, never having to develop a personality.’