‘Rita, have you come to tell me you’ve met a new man or something, because there’s definitely something going on. Come on, spill.’

Rita turned to face him and shrugged. ‘I wish, look at me, who’d have this?’

Donny rolled his eyes as if he was humouring her, but couldn’t help thinking she wasn’t far off the truth, not that he’d ever tell her that. Anyway, sometimes it was nice to make people feel good about themselves.

‘You’re a great catch, Rita. If I wasn’t a married man, I’d be all over you like a rash. On my life, you’re a prize that any man would be proud to have on his arm.’

Donny was so smooth he was even impressing himself. She flicked her hair over her shoulder and smiled. ‘Do you really think so, Donny? I’ve kind of given up on ever finding a man at my age. I just seem to scare them off.’

Donny looked at her, pressing his lips firmly together to keep the truth sealed firmly in his mouth. She was no oil painting, there was no getting away from it. But he kept the platitudes coming; he hated seeing anyone down in the dumps. ‘There’s someone out there for everyone, Rita. What do they say? A lid for every pot? It’s just a matter of time before Mr Right comes along and sweeps you off your feet. And what a lucky man he’ll be.’

Rita looked like the cat that had got the cream. She pushed her chest out.

Yeah, and maybe start with a decent bra, thought Donny. He said nothing as she yanked her leggings up higher to cover her midriff.

‘Stop it, Donny, stop giving me hope,’ she said, but she was smiling.

Tina walked in, looking surprised to see Rita in at this time of the morning and not looking miserable either. She checked her watch. ‘Bleeding hell, Rita, what’s got into you?’ To be fair, turning up before her shift had started was not something Rita was known for.

Donny rocked back on his chair and looped his hands behind his head. ‘She was here before me this morning, Tina, she’d opened the main gates up and everything. And then she’s in here all smiles, handing me a hot cup of coffee. Not that you’ll hear me complaining. Feel free to come in early every morning if you’re going to do that, Reet.’