He began by apologising profusely as, apparently, he’d misplaced my number, which, his phone battery having died, he’d scribbled on the back of an old bus ticket. It had only resurfaced when he went to the launderette and turned out his jeans’ pockets. He had just discovered he’d got the job he was after and wanted someone to celebrate with.

‘Would you like to come for a meal with me this evening? I’ve found a cracking Italian restaurant …’

*

Reggie breezed in, mid-afternoon, to find me flapping about what to wear.

‘So, the hot vet called you, then? Hope it works out. We’ll have to go out as a foursome. Akhmad was amazing.’ She kicked off her shoes and flopped onto the settee, exhaling in ecstasy.

‘I swear to God, Stina, I’ve never met anyone like him. Such a gentleman. He’s a bit older, I know, but the man is class. I can’t wait to see him again …’

I suppressed the urge to groan, knowing from past experience that her initial enthusiasm rarely lasted beyond the first week, the second at most. After eulogising about Akhmad and their dream date for the best part of half an hour, she suddenly seemed to have noticed that I was agitated.

‘Okay, I’ll shut up now. Where’s lover boy taking you, then?’

‘Some Italian place in the city centre. Sounds very plush and I’m not sure I’ve got anything suitable in my wardrobe. He’s picking me up at 7.30.’

‘Come on, let’s see what we can find. I’m sure we can make you look presentable – you don’t scrub up too badly.’ Seeing my worried expression, she laughed. ‘I’m joking. You always look great.’ She chewed her lip. ‘I know, I’ve got that gorgeous striped Missoni minidress I picked up from the show in Milan the other week. It’ll be a more respectable length on you, as you’re a bit shorter than I am – and it’s stretchy, so it should fit a treat. Wear it with those black heels you’ve got and my chunky wooden necklace. You’ll look like the dog’s bollocks.’

I wasn’t sure whether I liked the comparison, but the dress was beautiful, and after doing my hair and make-up, I didn’t look too bad.

Reggie stood back to examine the finished article as I posed awkwardly in the doorway.

‘There you go, you look good enough to eat. He won’t be able to keep his hands off you.’

‘I might not want him to …’

She gave a lopsided smirk and raised an eyebrow.

The doorbell rang and my heart fluttered with excitement. ‘That’ll be him.’ Suddenly I felt panic-stricken. What if I were to get all tongue-tied and make an idiot of myself?

Seeing my face, Reggie gave me a reassuring hug. ‘You’ll be just fine. Off you go. Knock ’im dead, kiddo.’