She had a tepid shower, not waiting for the water to heat up, put curlers in her hair and was just switching on the hairdryer when she heard a knock at the door. ‘Oh my God, he’s here and I look a mess!’ she said, seeing herself in the mirror. She put on her dressing gown, hurried down the stairs and started apologising as she opened the door.

‘I’m really sorry, Nick, I . . .’ She stopped in mid-sentence as she saw a smiling Gerry holding out a booklet.

‘Sorry to bother you, Jane. I forgot you were going out to dinner.’

‘And I’m running late, Gerry. What can I do for you?’

‘I’m a member of the Chislehurst Society. They produce this newsletter, called The Cockpit, two or three times a year. It gives you the latest news and goings-on in the area and I thought you might like to read it . . . or maybe even join yourself,’ he said and handing it to her.

‘Thanks. Sorry – I really must dash.’

‘Have a nice evening . . . and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,’ he said with a cheeky grin as she shut the door.

She liked Gerry and knew he meant well, but Jane was beginning to regret asking for his help and wondered if his surprise visits were going to become a regular occurrence. She ran back upstairs and started blow-drying her hair.

It wasn’t long before there was another knock at the door. Nick was holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.

‘Sorry,’ she said, ‘I went for a run, then fell asleep and only woke up half an hour ago.’ There was still a curler dangling from her hair. ‘As you can see, I’m still not ready.’

‘It’s a woman’s prerogative to be late.’ He smiled and held out the flowers and the wine. ‘These are just a token of my thanks for agreeing to have dinner with me, and not completely shutting my building site down . . . yet.’

‘They might be construed as a bribe,’ she teased, noticing the wine was Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which she knew was expensive. ‘But thank you.’

He faked a look of shock. ‘I would never bribe an officer of the law.’

Jane showed him through to the living room. She thought Nick looked quite trendy in his white shirt and navy blue suit.

‘Take a seat. I’ll be as quick as I can.’

‘There’s no rush. I booked the table for 7.30. I thought we might pop into The Olde White Lion for a drink before dinner. It’s just opposite the restaurant.’

‘Sounds good to me,’ she said, putting the orchid on the mantelpiece.

Jane finished drying her hair, got dressed and put on some light makeup. She stood in front of the bedroom mirror, fluffed her hair and smoothed out her dress, then went downstairs to the living room.