‘Well. Anyway. I really do have to go. And you guys should call cabs.’

Thomas nodded. ‘Listen, um. I’m around for a couple of weeks,’ he continued. ‘I’m in the music business and it can all get a bit crazy, so I keep the house out here to remind me to calm down a bit. You know, when I get a bit carried away and all that.’

‘Party boy,’ Penny said, but it wasn’t a question. She’d seen how many empty bottles there were – although, to his credit, talking to him didn’t feel like talking to a drunk. His eyes weren’t glazed or anything.

‘I don’t really drink, actually. I’m designated driver. Definitely don’t do drugs. I think I’d get addicted – I’ve got an addictive personality. Workaholic, more like,’ he replied. ‘I just love what I do.’

Penny smiled. ‘That, I understand,’ she admitted.

‘You can tell. Your food – you’re really good.’

‘Cheers,’ Penny said. They stood. Out of politeness more than a real desire to talk to him she commented, ‘The music industry sounds cool, though.’

‘It is. It’s as cool as you’d expect. I’ve been working with Lizzo for years and years – do you know her? – and then two years ago she got massive and it’s just been the wildest time since then. We’ve been everywhere.’

‘Lizzo?’ said Penny, her interest piqued. ‘What do you do for Lizzo? I love her! I literally had her album on when I was cooking your food.’

‘Oh, no way, really? I can get you tickets to one of the UK shows soon if you want. I’m her tour manager,’ he said with a boyish enthusiasm.

‘Her album is brilliant,’ Penny said. ‘That song “Jerome” – urgh. That’s my shower song. In my imagination when I am in the shower I am Lizzo.’

Thomas chuckled.

‘No, actually, more than that – I am Lizzo at Glastonbury,’ Penny continued. ‘Bottle of tequila in one hand, microphone in the other …’

‘Yeah, she killed it that afternoon,’ he agreed. ‘We were all on cloud nine after that.’

‘You were there?’

‘I was. And I’m not even going to pretend I’m not smug about it. Like I said, I love what I do.’

‘It’s written all over your face,’ Penny acknowledged.

Thomas sensed the change in Penny’s tone, then, and changed tack with her. ‘Do you get much time away from here?’ he said, hopefully. ‘I like to go walking, try to stay out in the fresh air a lot when I’m back. I’m sure you’re very busy but, in case, you know, you aren’t. If you want to hang out.’