The hotel receptionist handed over our key cards, explaining that our luggage had already been taken up earlier, having been dropped off by the driver. She then explained that breakfast could be taken either in the room or downstairs at the restaurant and advised us of the timings. With that, she wished us a good night, and told us that if there was anything else we required, to just call down for it.

We entered the mirrored lift and made our way up to the correct floor. Sneaking a peek, I was amazed to see that both my make-up and hair were still in place, despite a long evening, a warm atmosphere and more dancing than I’d done in years. It was true testament to the skills of the artists my sister-in-law had kindly arranged for me that their work still looked as good now as it had done hours earlier.

We made our way down a silent corridor, and I suddenly had an overwhelming desire to giggle. Jack noticed my big grin and him putting his finger to his lips just made things worse. Thankfully, the room wasn’t too far, and he held the card against the mechanism, waiting for the click and the green light before pushing it open and allowing me to go in first, following behind and turning the lock. I’d explained our situation to the publisher, and they had assured me that they would arrange either two rooms or a suite for the evening so that Jack and I could each have our own room. As we’d only been given one number, I assumed it was a suite.

I stopped suddenly and Jack almost walked straight into the back of me, halting himself and putting his hand on my upper arms as he did so to steady himself. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘This isn’t a suite.’ I turned to look up at him. ‘They said they’d arranged a suite so that you and I would be separate. This isn’t a suite. This isn’t even a twin.’ I flapped my hand at the large double bed.

‘Does it really matter? It’s not like you and I haven’t shared a bed before and,’ he looked at his watch, ‘it’s literally just for a few hours. I can go down and try and sort something if you prefer, though.’

He pushed a hand through his hair and, with the other one, undid his bow tie so it hung loose on his shirt as he opened the top couple of buttons. He looked shattered, and I knew how he felt. Who knew how long it would take them to sort out another room, if they even had a spare one available?

‘You’re right. It’s fine. Let’s just go to bed.’

‘There’s a sentence I never thought I’d hear from you.’ He gave a devilish grin.

‘You’re not helping,’ I said, taking off my shoes and letting out a sigh of relief and pleasure.

‘I know,’ he said, coming to stand in front of me. Without the heels, I had to tip my head back further and between the champagne and the tiredness that was definitely now kicking in, I felt myself overbalance. Jack’s arms were around me within an instant, steadying me.