‘No, but I can ask Grace. She must know loads in her line of work.’

He took out his mobile, scrolled through his contacts and asked her for her phone number so that he could send her Grace’s plumber’s details. Anna hesitated then thought, what the hell? And gave it to him.

The plumber promised to come by eight o’clock the next morning. They could cope till then. While she mopped the kitchen floor, Douglas stayed out of the way, in the conservatory. He had broad shoulders and a rangy, loose-limbed elegance. She found his bandy legs both funny and sexy.

‘Cottage industry?’ he said.

‘It puts food on the table.’

‘You’re very talented.’

She wrung the mop out, twisting it hard, and started again. ‘I make a lot of that stuff. You get better with practice.’

He picked up one of the larger pieces and read it out loud. ‘Did I say I wanted children? I meant to say chocolate!’ He laughed. ‘Where do you sell?’

‘Craft fairs mainly, but I’m negotiating with Not On The High Street. If they agree to take me on, my orders should increase. Can I get you a drink? I feel I owe you. I’ve got wine. No beer, though, I’m afraid.’

He hesitated and in doing so acknowledged that she had signalled that there wasn’t a man in the house, possibly in her life. She had only met him twenty minutes ago, but the effect he was having on her was unsettling. For the first time in ages she felt her sexual power; it crept through her, filling her veins, tweaking her body language, bringing a smile to her lips.

‘A glass of wine, if I’m not putting you out.’

‘Putting me out? You’ve saved me.’

She raised her eyes to his face. He was looking intently at her, as though he was examining her for flaws. Heat rose into her cheeks.

‘You’re divorced?’ he asked.

‘Widowed.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘It’s fine. It’s been five years now.’

I’m moving on, open to offers.

I find you extraordinarily attractive.

What do you see when you look at me, Douglas Parr?

She swept her fingers through her hair, smoothing it out, a gesture that wasn’t lost on him. They eyed each other like two animals, circling, wondering if what they felt was worth pursuing. Anna felt light-headed, ready to say something idiotic if only to release the tension, then Lottie came in, skirted the wet section of floor and put her arms around his waist.

‘Can we go now, Dad?’

‘Sure. Get your coat on. Sorry, we’ll have to take a rain check,’ he muttered to Anna. ‘Are you going to be OK?’

‘I’ll be fine.’ She hid her disappointment. ‘The insurance should cover the damage, and it’s not as if I have expensive flooring or anything.’