He checked his watch. ‘You’re right. Do you know the name of a good taxi firm around here?’

‘There’s someone that Felix uses but I can’t think of the name at the moment. I’m sure I can find one. What do you need a taxi for?’

‘To get to my meeting. Felix is going to help me try and find a car tomorrow. I didn’t really expect to be able to set up any meetings quite this soon, so I’m a bit unprepared.’

‘Well, you couldn’t turn it down. Don’t worry about the taxi. My old car is in the garage. You can use that for a while if you like. It’s only sitting there anyway so would do it good to be driven properly. I should sell it really – something else that fills me with dread.’ I pulled a face. ‘It does run, though. I take it out once a week or so and bomb it round the drive a few times. It’s quite good fun, actually.’

He looked down at me, grinning. ‘A clandestine rally driver. You’re full of hidden secrets, aren’t you?’

‘Ha, hardly. Anyway, the offer is there. It would probably do it good to have a proper run.’

‘That would be great, if you’re sure.’

‘I am. You just need to give me some details so I can get you on the insurance. We can do that now and you’ll be ready to go.’

Ten minutes later, my old car was insured for Jack to drive. I pulled it out of the garage while he went to change for his meeting and had just finished giving the windscreen a quick clean when Jack appeared.

‘You… umm… look nice.’ I tucked the cloth behind my back and wound my fingers within it, twisting it tightly until I risked cutting off the blood flow. Jack looked way more than nice, and I wasn’t prepared for the effect that seeing him in the fitted gunmetal-grey suit would have on me. His tanned skin was set off perfectly by the crisp white shirt and subtle pale blue tie.

‘Look OK?’ he asked, an endearing hint of uncertainty in his voice.

‘Absolutely. Definitely. Really good.’

Shut up, Lily!

I put both thumbs up to make sure I’d played a full hand of awkwardness.

He tugged at one of the cuffs before his hand moved to fiddle with the knot in his tie.

‘I’m not sure. It’s so long since I’ve worn a suit. It feels really weird.’ He began to run a finger around his shirt collar. I caught his hand.

‘Stop fidgeting, you look very professional.’ And super hot! I cleared my throat and attempted to clear my mind. ‘But you’re going to mess it up if you keep fiddling with everything.’

Jack’s gaze drifted down to where my hands still held his. My eyes followed. I let go of his hand with a jerk as if it was burning me.

‘Sorry.’

He gave the smallest of movements with his head. ‘No problem,’ he replied, smiling. ‘Are you always this bossy?’