Instantly the mood was changed, and Penny was relieved. She didn’t want to think about the bad men in her life when such a good one was beside her in bed.

‘How can you be ready to go again?’ Penny exclaimed. ‘It’s a physical impossibility. You’ve got the libido of a teenager!’

‘There’s just something about you, Penny Bridge, that really turns me on.’

‘Who was your last girlfriend? You haven’t told me about her.’

‘Well …’ said Francesco. ‘She took my heart out of my chest, and held it in her hand, and clenched her fist until it was pulp. She cheated on me. If there is one thing I don’t get it is cheating – it’s the most disrespectful thing anyone can do. Let the record show that she regrets it, though. It was a year ago and she still sometimes calls. I’m glad she feels bad. So, when you talk about what a happy guy I am, know that there is a woman out there who I hope never forgives herself.’

‘Oh, Francesco. I’m so sorry.’

‘People hurt other people, don’t they?’

‘I promise never to hurt you, okay? Not if I can help it.’

‘I promise never to hurt you either,’ Francesco said. ‘Not if I can help it.’

‘And I know it’s not polite to brag,’ Penny said in a Personal Podcast to Clementine, ‘but Jesus. It’s a wonder I haven’t got a water infection we’ve been doing it that much. He’s stayed at mine every night for a week now, and to be honest we don’t even use the toys most of the time. It’s like – well, sorry, I know you’re my sister and everything, and this is probably too much information but … now we know we don’t have to be so bloody well-mannered with each other we can just let it rip, you know? Which is amazing, and also interesting because now I’m thinking that if before there was a reason he wasn’t Mr Perfect, but now it’s great sex … does that mean there’s nothing wrong with him? Surely there is. I just can’t figure it out. I’ll bet he forgets my birthday. Or loses all of his hair. Or … oh I don’t know. Somebody comes out of the woodwork and says he’s her Me Too man. I know you’re going to tell me to stop looking for faults, because that’s exactly what I’d say to you, but if only I could find one I would! I promise I would! Anyway. Shall we do dinner tomorrow? All four of us? I want you to meet him.’

Clementine and Rima loved him.

‘He’s wonderful,’ Clementine said as Penny deposited their dirty dessert plates into the sink. ‘The way he looks at you makes me very happy. He worships you.’