‘Giles really likes Kerry,’ I said. ‘But he thought that you two were together and didn’t want to spoil things by telling her how he felt. And because he wouldn’t let me talk to her either, I decided to find out what the situation was from you – hopefully without making things tricky for anyone.’

‘I see.’

‘I understand if you feel you should tell Kerry. But, if you do, can you let me know, so that I can prepare Giles for that – by text, obviously. Because he is going to kill me,’ I added, biting my lip at the thought.

He shook his head. ‘I won’t mention it to Kerry. The timing is up to Giles.’

I breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Thank you. I didn’t want to make things difficult for you and Kerry if you were a couple. But at the same time, I thought it would be a real shame for Giles not to try and find out.’

‘It’s OK,’ he said. ‘I understand and I think it’s good to get things straight. I just hope it works out for them.’

‘Me too.’ I gazed into my glass of wine, marvelling at the fact that in spite of Ruby’s visit – or perhaps somehow because of it – I actually felt surprisingly good. Cameron’s company, and the news that he was a single man, had lifted my mood to a wholly unexpected degree. ‘Thanks so much for coming here tonight, Cameron,’ I said quietly. ‘I really appreciate it. You’ve made me feel so much better.’

‘Same. We should do this more often.’

I realised that it was a suggestion I wanted to hold him to. ‘Definitely,’ I said, offering him a smile which, after a moment or two of comfortable silence between us, I suspected might be edging towards happy-fool territory. So I drank my wine to give my mouth something else to do.

‘Another?’ asked Cameron pointing at my glass.

‘No, thanks. If I have any more than this, I’ll spend the rest of the evening either laughing or crying hysterically. But let me get you a beer,’ I said, putting down my glass.

He shook his head. ‘Thanks, but I’ll get it. So long as you’re happy to make that last.’

‘Very happy.’

‘OK then,’ he said, making to stand up.

‘Ooh, but before you go and while I think of it,’ I began, holding out a hand. ‘Did Kerry tell you that Giles and I are hosting the next avenue wine and cheese? We’d love it if you could come along.’

‘She might have mentioned it,’ he smiled. ‘How are you feeling about that level of neighbourhood responsibility?’