Penny couldn’t believe what had happened in the café that morning. It was so conflicting – theoretically, she knew she was worthy of being loved, or at least fancied, but in practice she was so utterly petrified of it. She was terrified of being let down, yet again. Because there always seemed to be an ‘again’. And another. And another. But then, how she felt seeing Francesco this second time, how silly and nervous and electrified she felt in his presence – it was a hell of a rush. There was no way she was imagining the connection. Not now she’d felt it twice. It was this exact feeling that always made her reason, okay. One more shot at hope. Why not?

‘Two things,’ Sharon said. ‘First: you’re going to hurt your neck if you keep straining to see that guy. Second: try the watermelon and pecorino salad. It is very, very good.’ She waved her fork into the air in the direction of the dish closest to her.

‘I told you Dofi knew what she was doing,’ Penny said, reaching over. ‘I mean, everything is just magnificent, isn’t it? So good. She taught me a lot of what I know about pairing flavours.’

‘You need to do something like this at the café,’ Sharon insisted, going in for more. ‘I’d be there every day for it.’

Penny took a forkful and turned in Francesco’s direction again as she chewed.

She couldn’t help herself.

‘Okay,’ said Penny. ‘Take two. I’m going to go and talk to him. You’ve convinced me.’

‘Not that it took a lot,’ replied Sharon. ‘I think you convinced yourself.’

‘Don’t make me tell you to piss off,’ uttered Penny, scowling playfully. ‘Not when I’m about to be gutsy.’

‘Quite right,’ said Sharon, grinning, as she stood to lead the way into the lounge area for after-dinner coffee. ‘Into battle we go,’ she trilled over her shoulder. ‘Waterloo here we come.’

‘I’m saying it: piss off.’

Penny heard Sharon laugh. ‘You know I’ve got your back,’ she said, honing in on two high-backed chairs alongside Francesco and his friend.

‘Are these seats taken?’ Sharon asked, smiling brightly. ‘Can we?’

Francesco didn’t seemed surprised to see the two women, who sat down before hearing one way or the other. Penny looked nervously at Sharon for encouragement, who nodded in Francesco’s direction as if to say, talk to him.

‘Hi,’ said Penny, with a small, self-conscious wave. ‘How are you?’

Francesco smoothed his hair back. ‘Ego-bruised,’ he said, having decided as he’d eaten dinner to address the elephant in the room. He had a feeling he’d end up talking with Penny again. Their energy was like two very strong magnets, pulling in the other’s direction. ‘But otherwise good,’ he added, smiling. He wasn’t above poking fun at himself now he’d had a drink and relaxed.