I’m interrupted by Finn walking through the door. He looks smart, dressed in drainpipe jeans, a white shirt and a pin-striped blazer. He’s shorter than Jack, although still tall at about six foot, with white-blond hair and blue eyes. He reminds me of Matt and Luke Goss from Bros. He’s a year younger than me, and I know that I, of all people, shouldn’t judge but it’s hard to believe he’s a cop.

He shakes out an umbrella and looks around until he spots us. Irritation briefly passes over his face when he sees me sitting with Jack. ‘Oh,’ he says, coming over to us, looking flustered. ‘I didn’t realize you were meeting Jess first.’

I stand up so quickly I feel light-headed. ‘I’m just going.’

‘You haven’t finished your drink,’ says Jack. ‘Don’t go yet. You don’t mind, do you, Finn?’

Finn looks like he does mind. Very much. But he’s too polite to say so. Instead he hastily scouts around for another chair while I squirm with embarrassment, wanting nothing more than to make a swift exit. I don’t want to play gooseberry.

He pulls up a seat between me and Jack. ‘So, how’s things?’ he says to me. ‘You okay? How’s Rory?’

‘Fine. We’re both fine. You?’

‘Busy with work. You know. Hoping to be made a sergeant so have to put the hours in.’

I nod politely but the conversation feels formal and stilted. I love Jack so much. I just wish I felt as comfortable with Finn.

‘So, what are you working on at the moment? Still the Wilson case?’ he asks.

‘Yep. Can you give us anything? Tip-offs et cetera?’ I try to sound playful but his expression darkens.

‘You know I can’t. It’s unprofessional,’ he replies stiffly.

Jack rolls his eyes. ‘Always the professional, eh, Finn.’ He winks but Finn doesn’t look amused.

I down the rest of my Coke so fast it gives me indigestion and I suppress the urge to burp. ‘Anyway,’ I say, in a voice that sounds like I’ve inhaled helium, ‘I’d better be off. Rory will be wondering where I am.’

I rummage in my bag for my umbrella and, telling Jack I’ll see him in the morning, I rush outside, the cold air instantly cooling my cheeks. I take a few deep breaths and stand under my umbrella for a minute, looking through the window at Jack and Finn. Finn’s back is to me but I can see Jack glancing at his boyfriend tenderly, his hand over Finn’s.