‘Oh, but I do,’ Esther began, breaking off as her trolley almost took off down the slope towards the cars and Chris lunged in to offer assistance. ‘Thanks, that’s kind.’ She dug for her car keys while he took over, balancing his purchase on top of the lawnmower box and steering as she led the way towards her car.

‘You look great, by the way,’ he called.

‘Do I? Thanks.’ Esther threw a bemused glance down at her white top, the faint stain of pollen on the sleeve that had been there for years, and her old jeggings, doing their usual miraculous job of keeping her tummy under control and showing the best of her legs. At the car, she opened the boot and then failed in a wrestle with the clip that allowed the back seats to flatten. ‘Bloody thing.’ She gave it a slap. ‘It won’t budge.’

‘Let me have a go.’

Esther manoeuvred out of the way so Chris could take a turn, having to laugh when the clip cooperated with one easy tug. She then stood to one side, amused and helpless, as he insisted on loading everything from her trolley into the boot. Watching, Esther found it impossible not to relish the ancient, half-forgotten pleasure of sharing life with someone physically stronger, someone who, she couldn’t help noticing, was endowed with a pleasingly broad back and arm muscles, bulging under the confines of the checked shirt.

‘Will you be all right the other end?’ He slammed the boot shut and dusted his palms.

‘Yes, thank you. I don’t need rescuing, you know.’ Esther shot him a wry grin, remembering suddenly all the things Viv had said, about the first snog with Brian and not being too quick to judge.

‘I know, and it is very refreshing.’ He was grinning back, delight lighting up his face. ‘So many on that bloody website do. I’ve given it up, actually. Hard to go on when you’ve found what you were looking for.’ He threw her a rueful look as he bent down to resume command of his bag of soil, and Esther found their first easy, open phone conversation coming back to her, the one that had made her agree to a date.

Her instincts were so rusty, she reflected despairingly. She was all over the place. ‘Look, Chris, many thanks again, but I’ve a lot to be getting on with.’ She jangled her keys.

‘Yes, indeedy. Me too.’ He gave the bag of soil a fond pat. ‘Esther, could we try meeting again, do you think?’ he blurted. ‘Would you at least consider it? If I were to message you in a day or two?’ He took a step backwards, as if to show he had no intention of crowding her. ‘And I promise to respect however you reply. Okay?’