‘And I just want to say,’ Penny intoned to her staff, ‘that I am beyond thrilled with how these past six months have run. Teething problems aside,’ she paused here, letting everyone know that they could issue a giggle, ‘we’re now having more good days than bad ones,’ – more giggles – ‘And I just wanted to get everyone in the same place to say we will, of course, be celebrating with a very big pre-Christmas party …’ she paused again, to allow for the small cheer, ‘… And I look forward to sharing with you our Continuing Training programmes. It is my commitment to you that this is more than just a job that you clock in and out of. We’re a family here, and look after each other. My pledge is that I will invest in skills that are useful at The Red Panda, and also in real life, or any other job you might go on to have. I use the skills and knowledge from the kitchens I’ve worked in over the years every single day, and my most sincere wish is that what you learn here – as well as what you contribute – will be something you look back on for the rest of your lives as being a formative, important part of who you are, no matter what stage of your catering and hospitality career you’re at. If that doesn’t sound too intense, ha. Anyway. Cheers, one and all!’

‘You said all that?’ Thomas would later ask on the phone as they whispered to each other before bed. He’d called her when she was still in the dinner shift, and followed through on his promise to call her later, then, when she was done. Penny wondered if this is what she’d misunderstood in all the years of dating: men who aren’t really that bothered text, men who actually want you, call. A simple way to establish who was wheat and who was chaff.

‘Something like that, yes,’ Penny said. ‘And the cringiest thing is – I meant it. I’m really proud of it all.’

‘Bib Gourmand proud …?’ He was referring to the Michelin Guide award – an award not as prestigious as a Michelin star, but still a nod to consumers in an annual guide of noteworthy places for good food. Penny knew of customers who used it as their bible. If a place wasn’t featured, they didn’t risk eating there.

‘Who sent you?’ Penny laughed. ‘Did Uncle David put you up to this? He always thought if I came on board that we could chase the Bib.’

‘I’ve been around enough to know that a country pub like The Red Panda should be striving for certain things. Did I guess right?’

‘I don’t want to talk about it,’ said Penny. ‘Maybe. Probably. I don’t know. Why does everyone always expect bigger and better and more? What’s wrong with the way things are?’