Stomach fluttering, Honey stood outside Dane’s front door and paused. Was she doing the right thing? She was desperate to know how his day had gone, to find out if the interview had been a success.

When he came to the door, he was wearing suit trousers and a white shirt that was open at the throat, revealing an enticing triangle of skin. She fought her desire to step forwards and press her mouth to that skin, to kiss him and wrap her arms around his waist. It was a hard fight.

“Honey.” He smiled, his eyes appraising her, and she was glad she’d made the effort to wear one of her pretty dresses. She’d also pinned her hair up the way he liked, in a loose bun high on her head with some tendrils hanging down either side of her face. She liked the way it showed off the contrast of the blue and pink in her hair and how her neck felt cool and free.

“I brought you a treat!” She held out the purple cake box from the café.

“Thank you. That’s really kind. Come in.”

She followed him through to the kitchen where he placed the box on the worktop and switched the kettle on.

“Tea?”

“Yes please.”

He took two mugs from the cupboard then dropped tea bags into them. Honey had to bite her lip to prevent herself asking how his day had been; she was sure he’d tell her when he was ready.

When the tea was made, they took their mugs to the table and sat opposite each other.

“How’s your day been?” Dane asked.

“Fine. Stressful. Oh, Dane, I’ve been worried about you. How did you get on? I have to ask.”

He nodded.

“It went well. At least I think it did. My lesson was successful, in terms of how well the children behaved and how they clearly made progress, and I think I gave good answers to the questions in the preliminary interview. There were five candidates in total, as two dropped out this morning, and at the end of the day, two were thanked for their time and the three of us remaining were asked to return tomorrow.

“That’s brilliant news!”

He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Yes it is, but the other two candidates are very strong. I had a chance to talk to them both and they have plenty of experience and can spout all the current educational jargon. I’m just afraid that they’re better than me.”

“I’m sure they’re not.” She reached over the table and took his hand. “You’re amazing, Dane, and you can do this.”

“I’m really tired though. Today was draining and I have to go through another round tomorrow. We have to do something they call the goldfish bowl, where they’ll give us some teaching and learning scenarios and we have to discuss them while the interview panel observe us.”

“The three of you will have to talk while people watch?” Honey shuddered, horrified at the thought of having to hold a formal discussion while being observed.

Dane nodded. “The head teacher, deputy head and three of the governors. And that’s not me, Honey. I’m not good in that type of situation. Put me in front of the pupils or other staff when there’s a purpose and I’m fine, but this seems so unnatural. What if I clam up completely?”

Honey gazed at his handsome face and his bright blue eyes, so earnest and clear, and her heart went out to him.

“Dane… you are an intelligent and capable man and I am convinced that you will be absolutely fine. You can do this.”

He squeezed her hand. “And you’re a lovely person, Honey. Sorry if I seem a bit… weak—”

“You’re not being weak! You care about this job and the village and the school and the pupils. You’re only tense because you care and this is a challenging situation to be in but you will get through it.”

He raised her hand and pressed it to his lips. His breath tickled her fingertips and the hairs on her nape rose.

“Thank you, Honey. I appreciate you coming here, and the cakes and the pep talk.”

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

He held her gaze and she drank him in, wishing she could hold him and soothe away his concerns, but she knew he’d need to prepare for the next day.

She drained her tea then stood up. “I’m going now because I know you have things to do but please let me know how you get on tomorrow… as soon as you can.”

Back in the hallway as she opened the front door, he stroked the side of her neck, so she turned to him.

“I’ll ring you tomorrow afternoon.”

“Please do.”

When he reached out and cupped her cheek then leant forwards and kissed her gently, a soft moan escaped from deep inside her, and before she could think, she slid her arms around his waist and held him tight. They stood that way for a while, taking strength from each other, and when they finally broke apart, he kissed her once more.

“Good luck, Dane. You show them what a catch you are.”

He laughed. “I’ll try. Speak tomorrow.”

Honey walked down the path with a spring in her step, because she knew Dane would be all right. He was clever, talented and dedicated and she was sure that the head teacher and the governors would see that and make sure they kept him on at the school. And she’d meant what she said about him being a catch, in more ways than one.