‘What did you say this was again?’ Sophie asked, referring to the classical music he was fond of playing while she helped him clear up after their meal. It had been pasta again – which it seemed he was also fond of – but without the meat. Garlicky mushroom penne he’d said it was, and it hadn’t been bad.

‘Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata,’ Paul supplied, wiping down the cooker, which he kept meticulously clean. Sophie stacked the dishwasher, making sure to put everything in the exact order he’d specified, since she’d apparently stacked it completely wrong last time. ‘I find this one particularly calming. It’s scientifically proven that calm classical music is an effective way to alleviate stress. Did you know that? Listening to soothing music has a relaxing effect on the body and mind. It mesmerises you.’ He paused in his rigorous wiping. ‘Captivates you, almost. Allows you to explore your emotions, delve deep inside and…’

Sophie watched him interestedly as he narrowed his eyes, glancing off somewhere.

He obviously sensed her watching him. ‘And you don’t really like it, do you?’ He looked at her with a tolerant half-smile.

‘I do,’ Sophie refuted. ‘I like most music, but…’ She screwed up her nose. ‘It’s a bit maudlin, isn’t it? This particular track, I mean.’

Paul sighed and shook his head, clearly despairing of her musical ignorance. ‘So, what mood-inspiring music do you fancy then?

‘Adele?’ Sophie suggested hopefully.

He rolled his eyes. ‘Adele it is,’ he said, instructing Alexa accordingly.

‘Brilliant.’ Sophie grinned and turned back to her task. ‘I’ve missed my music… without my phone.’ Dropping a subtle hint, she sneaked another peek at him.

Paul’s sigh was longer this time. ‘Go on then,’ he said, retrieving a credit card from his phone wallet. ‘Go and order one online,’ he said, offering it to her.

Sophie stared at it agog. ‘Really?’

‘Well, you obviously can’t live without one.’ Paul shrugged good-naturedly. ‘But run it by me before you hit purchase,’ he said, as Sophie gleefully grabbed the card.

‘Will do.’ Sophie smiled, delighted. ‘Cheers, Paul.’

‘No worries. Get yourself some shoes, while you’re browsing. Can’t have you running around in your socks forever, can we? It’s not very hygienic.’

‘Yes. Right.’ Sophie furrowed her brow. She hadn’t heard that one before. ‘Small problem,’ she said.

Paul arched an eye curiously.

‘I don’t have anything to browse on,’ Sophie pointed out.

‘Ah. Of course you don’t.’ Paul downed his cloth and went to the dining area, where his jacket was hanging on a chair. ‘You can use my laptop,’ he said, retrieving his study keys to go and fetch it.

‘No dipping into files, though, Sophie,’ he said, coming back with the laptop and setting it up on the dining table. ‘I have confidential client information on here, remember?’

‘I won’t,’ Sophie assured him, her eyes straying to the jacket pocket he’d dropped his keys back into. He’d kept the study locked since he’d found her in there. She supposed it was fair enough, since he had all that confidential stuff. She still wanted to know what was in those desk drawers he’d been so concerned about, though, and why it was her mother’s photo he kept on his desk.