But there was one issue which I thought we could adequately cover over a sandwich, and to leave Luke in the dark over my intermittent moodiness towards him – something which he had clearly picked up on – didn’t seem fair to either of us.

‘It’s not entirely you,’ I said.

‘I bloody knew it,’ he sighed, pulling a face, throwing down his wrap and pushing his plate away from him. ‘Come on, then. Out with it.’

‘OK.’ I took a deep breath. ‘It’s just that, I’m coming at the Ruby and Cameron thing as a woman…’

He frowned. ‘Er, yes, obviously.’

‘And as a feminist.’

‘Obviously again.’

‘Whereas—’

‘I am not a woman.’

‘Nor are you a feminist,’ I said, picking up and taking a second bite from my sandwich.

He raised his eyebrows. ‘I’d dispute that, actually.’

I looked at him doubtfully. ‘I know everyone agreed to let it drop, Luke, but we both still know what actually happened and, because of that, your relationship with Cameron bugs me. I’m sorry if you think that’s not fair, but I can’t help it.’

‘It’s not remotely fair,’ he said, frowning. ‘And if we filled this cafe with fair-minded feminists, they’d pelt you with those crappy muffins over there for claiming that it is.’ He gestured towards the selection of lacklustre cakes on display behind me and I turned in time to see the cashier throw an offended scowl in our direction.

‘They look really yummy to me,’ I said loudly, as she began wiping down the counter whilst muttering something about entitled pricks.

I sighed and turned back to Luke. ‘Look, I’m not saying you shouldn’t be professional,’ I said, keeping my voice determinedly low. ‘I’m not saying shun Cameron like he’s an Amish with a button-fetish. But do you have to be so matey with him? You seem to positively admire the guy.’

He was now no longer frowning, but his expression was still about as far from acceptance as it was possible to be. His jaw twitched as he clenched and unclenched his teeth, and I noticed a growing pink tinge to his cheeks.

‘You’re angry,’ I murmured, realising with some fascination that I had never actually witnessed that before.

‘I can’t believe what I’m hearing,’ he said, his hardened tone as unfamiliar as his stony expression. ‘Imagine if the tables were turned and it was a woman in Cameron’s position. Would you still be sitting there, calling me out for being matey with her?’