The tall, lithe young man who had issued the challenge, and whom Esther had seen hanging around earlier on, pressed a finger to his grinning mouth by way of a reminder that it wouldn’t do to divert attention from the proceedings beyond their hidden corner. ‘Have no fear. Your secret is safe with me.’ He spoke under his breath, mouthing the words with comedic exaggeration. ‘Is it a good view?’

Stepping closer, he peered over the top of Esther’s head, allowing her to note the faint stain on the green jumper underneath his shapeless suit jacket. She noticed, too, the density of his dark unruly hair, and how the jumper accentuated the extraordinary flecks of luminous green in his eyes. The eyes had escaped her notice before. She had been too busy rushing around helping arrange books and drinks, and finding a pen for Stephen, who had wanted to lend one to the professor and had forgotten his. All she had observed of this particular guest was that he didn’t obviously fit the same mould as the others, being scruffier and younger, and appearing always to hover on the edge of each little conversational group, almost as if he shared her own sense of uncertainty and social unease for not being at the heart of things.

‘Me Lucas,’ he whispered, mock-punching his chest. ‘You?’

‘Esther,’ she mouthed.

‘Star.’

‘What?’ She bent her head nearer, thinking she had misheard.

‘Your name. It means star. Nice dress, by the way.’ He stuck both thumbs in the air and Esther found herself giggling.

‘Are you an editor?’ he mouthed next, miming opening a book and a scowling appraisal of its contents.

Esther shook her head, putting her hand over her mouth to stifle more laughter. She performed a return charade of shrugging her shoulders – as in, who knew what the hell she was? – and then an add-on demonstration of singing and playing the piano.

‘A musician?’ He feigned clapping, while Esther wagged her finger to indicate that this was a gross exaggeration of her status.

Stephen’s appearance round the end of the shelving unit – proof that in the absence of their attention the speeches had ended – caught them both by surprise. ‘Esther. There you are.’ He glanced between their faces, his smile taut. ‘You are needed.’

‘I’m coming. Sorry, I was just…’

‘Looking after me,’ her new acquaintance interjected easily, reaching to shake Stephen’s hand. ‘Dr Lucas Shaw. New in town – part-time lecturer in medieval English – very much not a philosopher – but hoovering up everything I can. Brilliant talk. Brilliant event. I do apologise for keeping Esther from her duties.’ He threw them a quick smile and strolled off.

‘Do you know him?’ Stephen asked with studied casualness as they headed back into the fray.