‘Akhmad?’ I arched an eyebrow. This was the third different name in the space of a week.

‘Sex on legs. Owns a couple of restaurants – and he drives an Aston Martin. What’s not to love!’ She uncrossed her legs and stretched. ‘Why don’t you ring him? It’s not like you, brooding over a fella. He must have been something else.’

‘Well, I thought he was. Maybe he was only being friendly. Or maybe he’s got a girlfriend. Oh, I don’t know. I suppose he’s out of my league, if I’m honest.’ I slumped into the armchair and put my head in my hands.

‘Now you’re being daft! Just bloody call him – find out where you stand, and then you can meet up or move on. Go on – dig his number out and give him a bell. At least you’ll know one way or the other.’

‘I don’t need to dig it out – I saved it in my phone, and I already know it by heart. That’s how much of a saddo I am. But I can’t ring him. I don’t want to make a tit of myself. He’s probably forgotten all about me by now, anyway.’

Reggie groaned. ‘I give up. I hope you’re going to snap out of this.’ She examined her hands and resumed the filing. ‘If you want something to do, go and crack open that sauvignon blanc that’s in the fridge. We’ll have a glass or two before Akhmad comes to pick me up.’

*

After she had gone out, I sat watching a banal film and polished off the rest of the wine, then moved on to cider, feeling disconsolate and very sorry for myself. I kept staring at my phone, willing it to ring. I toyed with the idea of calling Jack, but was sober enough to realise it wasn’t a great idea when I’d had a few drinks. I would sound like a complete idiot – and a desperate one, at that. Eventually, I fell into bed, having resigned myself to the fact that I probably needed to write him off.

The next morning, I had a thumping headache. I took a shower, swallowed a couple of painkillers and ventured out to the corner shop for milk. Conspicuous by her absence, Reggie had clearly had a good time with sex-god Akhmad. As I turned the key in the front door, my phone rang in my pocket. I fished it out, expecting to see Reggie’s name flash up on the screen.

My heart quickened – it was Jack.