I raised my eyebrows. ‘Guess.’ I loved this game; it was astonishing, the limited number of things men in pubs thought women were capable of doing.

Jack rubbed his chin. He considered me, tapping a tanned forefinger to his cheek. ‘Could be a hairdresser—your hair is amazing …’

I was rather proud of my hair, which I kept shoulder-length. It was thick and brown and kicked up at the ends. I shook my head and took another sip of wine.

‘Nurse … I bet you have a great bedside manner.’

I almost snorted, but stopped myself in time. He really was the most outrageous flirt.

‘Flight attendant?’

I shook my head. Then stopped. I blinked rapidly and bowed my head a little.

Jack looked amused. ‘Am I keeping you up?’

‘Phew. That wine has gone straight to my head,’ I said. ‘I think I’m a bit of a two-pot screamer tonight.’ I shook my head again, as if to clear it.

‘If you need a ride home …’

‘Nah, I’m good.’ My eyelids drooped. ‘Suddenly, I feel really tired …’ I yawned. ‘I’d better head off before I fall asleep.’ I slid along the seat and got to my feet.

‘Are you sure you’re okay?’ Jack made to follow me.

‘I’m fine. Stay.’ I held up my hand. ‘I’ve just had a busy day. Must’ve worn myself out. Nice meeting you, Jack.’ I almost lost my balance when I reached the door but steadied myself, grabbing the back of a chair.

The air was brisk when I stepped out of the pub. Unlike the city night sky, which was never quite dark, in the country it was inky black, freckled with pinprick stars and a fingernail-clipping moon. I could smell the sea and hear the faint crashing of the waves against the jagged cliffs that circled Deception Bay like a strangler’s hands. I pulled up the collar of my denim jacket and shivered. I almost missed the second step down from the pavement to the car park and staggered sideways. I’d parked around the back of the pub. The single streetlight illuminating the car park flickered on for a moment, then melted into a toxic yellow colour and vanished. Seconds later, it buzzed on again and repeated the process. Moths circled it in crazy patterns. My boots crunched unevenly on the gravel. I fumbled in my front jeans pocket for the car key.

Rapid footsteps sounded behind me across the gravel.

I braced myself as someone slammed into me and grabbed my arms.

‘You’re not getting away that easily,’ snarled a voice in my ear.

Neither are you, I thought.