When the song was over, Nick put out his hand. Jane gripped it tightly and he pulled her up quickly from the floor, she stepped forward, put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

‘That was great fun. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself so much.’ She hugged him.

He pulled her closer. ‘You’re an amazing woman, Jane. I’ve had a great time, too.’

His soft breath on her ear and the sweet smell of his aftershave sent another sensuous tingle through her body. She held his hand as they left the dance floor.

‘Do you want to stay a bit longer.’

‘I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘It’s up to you.’

‘Let me know when you want to leave then, and I’ll get Sandra to call a cab for you.’

‘I hope you’re not thinking of driving home.’

‘No way. I only live over the road. I can pick up my car tomorrow.’

‘I can walk with you and get a cab from yours . . . if that’s OK with you.’

He looked surprised. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes. The truth is, I’d like to see your place. Is it a house you designed and built?’

‘No. It was built in the 1930s. My mum and dad used to live there until they moved into the chapel and rented it out. I rented a place locally, then when I was thirty, Dad said I could move in. I’ve modernised the interior, though.’

‘Shall we go then?’

As they left the pub the cold fresh air hit Jane making her feel light-headed. She stopped, took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

‘Are you OK?’ Nick asked, looking concerned.

‘Fine thanks . . . just a rush of blood to the head.’

‘You had me worried there.’ He smiled and held her hand.

‘The houses are big around here,’ she remarked as they walked to Nick’s house.

‘Farnborough Park is a private estate,’ he told her. ‘Some of the houses are new-builds and others are Victorian. Many of them were built in the Twenties and Thirties.’

‘Did you design any of them?’

‘A few of the newer ones. Nearly there . . . it’s just round the corner.’

As they walked onto the large crazy-paved driveway, Jane was surprised at the size of the elegant red-brick house, which was three times as big as hers.

‘It’s lovely house,’ she said. She noticed a green Range Rover parked in front of the garage to her left.

‘Is your father here?’ she asked, thinking it might be his car.

‘No, that’s my car. I use it for work. It’s more suitable for muddy building sites than the Jag.’

Nick opened the front door and switched on the chandelier light, revealing a hallway with cream-coloured walls and a hardwood floor. Nick took Jane’s coat and hung it in a cupboard under the stairs.