I might have been wanting to talk to Ned all day, but on my terms not when his dad saw fit.

‘Liza,’ said Ned, walking over alone as Maya set about helping Hope and Sophie uncover the food. ‘I’ve hardly seen you all evening. You look lovely by the way.’

‘Thanks,’ I blushed.

‘I hope you’re having a good time?’

Was it my imagination, or was he not quite as smiley talking to me as he had been with everyone else?

‘Yes,’ I said, ‘it’s a great party.’

‘Tell him what you just told me,’ David encouraged.

I explained what I had already said and Ned’s broad smile finally reappeared.

‘How about that then?’ laughed David.

‘Fantastic,’ grinned Ned. ‘That’s exactly what I was aiming for.’

‘So, your dad told me,’ I nodded.

As there seemed to be a lull in the revelries while everyone lined up to pile their plates with festive food, I screwed my courage to the sticking place and grasped the opportunity to ask Ned if we could meet for a moment in the office. I wasn’t sure the timing was right but the request was made before I could talk myself out it.

‘It won’t take a minute,’ I told him, as he looked around. ‘You won’t be abandoning the party for long.’

‘All right,’ he said. ‘Come on.’

‘I’ll save you both some food,’ David called after us.

I wasn’t sure I would have the stomach to eat it.

‘It’s about Liam,’ I blurted out, as soon as the door was closed and Ned had turned on the desk lights.

It wasn’t really, but I thought starting with him might be easier.

‘What about him?’ Ned frowned. ‘Those lads haven’t been back causing trouble, have they?’

He rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing wonderfully toned forearms, then leant back against the desk and crossed his arms.

‘No,’ I swallowed. ‘Not as far as I know. This is something different.’

‘Go on.’

‘Well,’ I said, ‘I know you weren’t impressed when I first took him on, but you have to admit, he’s been invaluable in the few weeks he’s been here.’

‘He certainly has,’ Ned readily agreed. ‘The kids love him as much as the parents and he’s picked things up very quickly.’

‘And we know he’s honest,’ I pressed on, emboldened by his enthusiasm. ‘In spite of what this Bradley and Kyle have implied.’

‘Yes,’ Ned nodded. ‘I haven’t forgotten that he looked after that purse until Catherine Connelly claimed it.’

‘Exactly.’

‘So, why are you bringing him up now?’ Ned asked. ‘Do you think we should give him a Christmas bonus or something?’

‘Not quite,’ I said. ‘It’s a rather bigger request than a few extra pounds in his pay packet.’

‘Oh?’