‘I see he’s got you wrapped around his paw,’ Liam commented from behind her, his voice making her jump.

‘He was hungry. I hope you don’t mind me feeding him.’

‘Not at all. You’ve saved me a job, so thanks.’

He brushed past her as he went to the oven and she caught his fresh citrusy scent, ignoring the little kick in her groin. He had changed into a navy T-shirt that hung on broad shoulders and swapped his jeans for a pair of grey joggers, and his usually unruly hair was still damp and a shade darker than normal. She watched as he bent down to open the oven door, appreciating the curve of the joggers as they tightened over his bum, then immediately berated herself. What the hell was wrong with her? She was acting like a horny teenager.

‘Do you want me to take anything through?’ she offered, needing a distraction. It was getting too hot in this tiny kitchen. ‘Have you got place mats?’

‘I think there’s some in the cupboard behind you.’

Hannah found them, taking them through and glancing at the notes on the table again.

She set the place mats down, could just about read the first few words of scribble, immediately recognising the name Jill Goldberg, then Liam was beside her, picking up the MacBook and notes and moving them out of the way.

‘Sorry. I haven’t been using the table to eat at. It’s a bit of a mess. Do you want a glass of wine or a soft drink?’

‘Um, a Coke please if you have one.’

He didn’t seem too stressed that she might have seen the page, but was that an act? He had been quick to come through and remove them. Was that because he didn’t want Hannah to see them?

And why was Jill’s name on top? Hannah hadn’t yet spoken to him about Jill’s death and Liam had told her he was yet to talk to any of her old friends.

Why did he have her name written down?

That question stayed with her as they sat down to eat, both keeping the conversation light and off topic to start with, while Tank sat between them, his own dinner finished and now hopeful that he might share theirs.

‘Where did you have to travel back from?’ Hannah eventually asked, deciding to try to find out a little bit more about this man sitting opposite her. She took a sip of her Coke, scooping up another forkful of noodles as she waited for him to answer.

‘Down south.’

Another vague, frustrating answer. And then he did that thing she was learning he was so good at doing. He flipped the subject.

‘How were things after I left the other day?’

‘What do you mean?’