‘What are you doing here?’ I stuttered, a smile breaking over my face. ‘I was literally thinking about you just minutes ago!’

‘I’m pleased to hear it.’ He raised an eyebrow, channelling James Bond. ‘I came to find you,’ he said.

‘That’s so romantic.’ Behind me, Meg didn’t bother lowering her voice.

‘You mean, he didn’t know where you lived?’ Tilly was flicking glances back and forth, as if trying her best to see us as a couple. Adam looked too polished for the café, like a visiting Hollywood actor in his heavy, double-breasted coat and well-cut suit. His dark hair waved neatly back from his forehead, and a thick, gold watch peeked out from beneath his cuff. He exuded money and good breeding, and the part of my brain still functioning was impressed that I’d chosen someone so clearly out of my league.

‘It’s quite a story,’ he said. I’d forgotten how lovely his voice was – deep and warm, and just the right side of authoritative. It sent a little shudder down my spine. ‘Shall we sit down?’

‘Aren’t you going to introduce us?’ Tilly clearly wasn’t letting us off the hook.

‘Adam Conway,’ he said to her, switching on his charming smile.

‘Good to meet you, Adam.’ Her hand disappeared inside his. ‘Tilly Campbell.’

When he’d let go, she smiled demurely and said, ‘I’ve come to have a look at some paintings.’ Her eyes grew wide as she looked past Adam’s broad shoulder to the wall behind him. ‘I want to know everything,’ she said to me in a whisper as she passed.

Left alone with Adam, I began to panic sweat, as the enormity of him turning up out of the blue began to sink in. ‘Would you like a drink?’

‘I’d love a beer, but I’m guessing that’s not on the menu.’ He pulled at the knot of a grey-and-blue striped tie that was probably silk.

‘No, I’m sorry,’ I said. ‘We could go to the pub.’ I cringed, recalling what Tilly and Meg had said about the state of the Smugglers Inn but, luckily, Adam was shaking his head.

‘Actually, I’ve been cooped up in the car for hours and wouldn’t mind some fresh air,’ he said. ‘Shall we take a walk? There’s a full moon, it’s quite spectacular.’

Suddenly reminded of Danny, I spun round to see him clearing away the board game, while Maggie stared at her phone. He didn’t look over and I couldn’t tell whether or not he was deliberately avoiding my eye. ‘I’d love to,’ I said. ‘But why are you here, Adam?’ Remembering I’d blocked his number, nerves rushed to the surface. ‘I thought we’d broken up.’

‘Well, you broke up with me, if I remember correctly.’ He thrust his hands in his coat pockets and tilted his head. ‘Thing is, I can’t stop thinking about you.’ It was a line straight out of a romance novel, but somehow didn’t sound corny. ‘How about we go for that walk, and have a chat?’

I still couldn’t quite believe he was there, but my racing pulse, throbbing cheeks and madly itchy wrist said it was true. ‘Give me a second,’ I said, and quickly crossed to the counter.

‘He wants me to go for a walk,’ I said urgently to Meg.

‘That’s… nice?’ She looked unsure of my tone. ‘He’s gorgeous, Cassie. You’ve chosen well.’

‘Shouldn’t I stay and help you close the café?’

‘Don’t be silly, we can manage, and Tilly will help.’ She shot me a smile. ‘He’s obviously dying to spend some time with you.’

As her eyes danced over him, I knew I couldn’t tell her I’d broken up with him – not when I’d implied a couple of days ago that we were dating. And, now I thought about it, I didn’t want to tell her. ‘Right. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow,’ I said, aware of Adam waiting, and that he’d driven for hours to see me.

‘Oh, Cassie, I can’t come in tomorrow.’ Meg pulled a regretful face. ‘Remember, I’m allergic to cats.’

‘Oh god, Meg, I’d totally forgotten, I’m sorry.’ She’d once picked up a stray tabby on the school playing field, and was sent home when her eyes swelled shut.

‘Don’t worry.’ She waved a hand. ‘I’ve earned overtime this evening, and I’m working some extra hours on Friday.’

More money I would have to cover, so Mum and Dad wouldn’t be out of pocket. It was a good job I’d earned some today, from my paintings. ‘Thanks, Meg,’ I said. ‘I’ll see you some time on Friday, then.’

Grabbing my bag and coat, I started making my way over to Adam, who watched my approach with a look of such open pleasure that I had to refrain from looking over my shoulder to check that Scarlett Johansson hadn’t wandered in. Danny was helping Maggie on with her leather jacket, and finally caught my eye.

‘I’m… sorry,’ I said, slowing down. ‘I didn’t know Adam was coming, and…’ My voice petered out.

‘You should have told me you were seeing someone.’ As direct as ever, only this time his gaze was sharper, as though seeking something he’d missed. Maggie didn’t look at me.

‘I’m not seeing him, I… he’s just… someone I met.’

‘Right.’ He picked up the Scrabble board and tucked it under his arm. ‘Thanks for a nice evening.’

‘We can go for that walk tomorrow, if you like.’ I wondered why I was bothering when I’d already stressed that he was wasting his time with me, and Adam was here in the flesh, clearly keen to rekindle our fledgling relationship.

‘No worries,’ Danny said, handing Maggie her bag. ‘I’ll see you in the morning when I drop off the cats.’

‘Cats?’ Suddenly, Adam was beside me, his expensive cologne filling my senses, making my head spin.

‘Oh, I’ve been organising some events for the café while I’m here, for my parents, remember I told you they run a café,’ I said, zipping into professional mode – if professional meant babbling like an idiot. ‘I’m turning it into a cat café for a day, though it may happen more often if it’s a success, which I hope it is, as that’s what I do for a living, ha, ha.’

‘Hey, that’s a great idea.’ His openly appraising glance sent a heatwave through my body. He was so big and shiny, I couldn’t help comparing him with Danny, who seemed smaller somehow, though they were more or less the same height. Danny was watching me closely, a small smile tilting his mouth, and I wondered what he was thinking. ‘You ready?’ Adam offered me his elbow, like an old-fashioned gentleman, and I took it self-consciously, aware of at least four pairs of eyes tracking our steps to the door.

It felt blissfully cool after the heat in the café, and letting go of Adam’s gym-hardened arm – I’d felt his muscles flexing through his coat – I led the way round to the coastal path, which was bathed in silvery moonlight.

‘Isn’t it beautiful?’ Adam said, pausing to tip back his head. ‘You don’t see a sky like this very often in the city.’

‘It’s lovely,’ I agreed, aware of him in a new way. Going out in London, we’d always been surrounded by other people: in a restaurant, where the waiters had known him by name; the exclusive bar, where he’d ordered a bottle of champagne that cost more than a month’s rent on my flat; the Italian bistro, where the overly attentive waiters had barely left our table. Even cloaked in darkness at a preview of the latest James Bond – Adam was a massive fan – we hadn’t been alone.

Leaning my head back, too, I gazed at the inky sky, which was littered with stars that dazzled my eyes like sequins, and wished we were back in London and knew each other a lot better.

‘How did you find me?’ I said, as we walked a little way down the path. His leather shoes were made for pavements, not rain-slippery paths close to the edge of a drop that, while not high enough to kill, might at least result in a broken limb.

‘It would have been easier if you hadn’t blocked my number.’ I glanced up to see a smile touch his eyes. They looked almost black in the moonlight, while the rest of his face was cast in a ghostly glow. I could only imagine what I must look like. ‘I wondered why you didn’t reply to my text messages,’ he said. ‘But I didn’t realise you’d blocked me until I tried to call you.’

‘I’m sorry about that.’ My whole body cringed, even as I absorbed the fact that he’d kept trying to contact me. ‘I’ve had a lot going on,’ I said, lamely.

‘I remembered you saying you’d been raised in Devon, but that was all. I called your work number in the end, and your colleague told me you were staying up here for a while, with your parents.’

Nina. ‘She’d shouldn’t really have given you my address.’

‘I promised her I wasn’t a psychopath.’ There was a smile in his voice. ‘She explained you’d left the company and were looking for a new challenge.’ I mentally thanked her for not telling him I’d been fired. ‘I just wish you’d talked to me about it.’

‘I didn’t think it was fair for us to get in any deeper when I was in, a, er, a state of, um… of flux,’ I said, though ‘in a state’ would have been more accurate.

‘You never even let on that you were thinking of leaving. I had no idea.’

Oh god, this was awful. ‘It had been in the back of my mind for a while,’ I lied. ‘I’d gone as far as I could at Five Star.’ I really needed to stop saying that – especially as it wasn’t even true.

‘So, it wasn’t that you didn’t like me?’ His tone was warmly teasing.

‘Oh, no, I mean yes, no, of course it wasn’t… I mean, I really do.’ I was wildly overcompensating.

‘Well, that’s a relief, because I really like you.’

‘Oh,’ was the only word my racing mind seemed capable of producing.

‘Your parents seemed to like me, too.’

My head jolted round. ‘You spoke to them?’

‘Well, obviously I went to the address I’d been given, and they told me you were working this evening.’

I tried to imagine him rocking up on my parents’ doorstep, and the look on their faces when they answered the door. An actual man, asking to speak to their daughter. A film-star handsome man, wearing a coat and suit that probably cost more than the combined contents of their wardrobes. I imagined they’d been suitably awestruck. I hoped they’d been fully clothed.

‘Hey, you are OK with this, aren’t you?’ He rested a hand on my arm, his fingers long and elegant. Piano player’s fingers, Nan would have said. When I didn’t reply right away, he added, ‘It just felt like there was unfinished business between us.’

His sentiments echoed the feelings I’d had while looking at his picture on my phone, and it was as if my thoughts had transmitted themselves to him. ‘Of course it’s fine, it’s just a surprise, that’s all.’ It was starting to feel as if I was starring in my own rom-com, or creating a ‘how we met’ story to tell our children one day. Incredibly good-looking children, providing they took after him. Things like this just didn’t happen to people like me.

‘I don’t normally do this sort of thing.’ Slowing, Adam pushed his palm over his hair. ‘To tell you the truth, I feel a bit of an idiot.’

His honesty was endearing. ‘You’re not.’ I touched his sleeve. ‘I’m glad you’re here.’

We stopped walking and looked at each other, then burst out laughing. His laugh was nice, confident sounding, and revealed his straight, white teeth. I hoped I didn’t have cake crumbs stuck between mine.

‘Shall we walk on a bit further, or go back?’ he said. ‘It’s chillier than I thought.’

I remembered Danny giving me his jacket the evening before, but although I was a bit shivery – from nerves and excitement more than anything – I wouldn’t have expected Adam to hand over his designer coat.

‘We could walk a bit more, if you like.’ I felt suddenly shy – almost as if we were meeting for the first time, and that I hadn’t once imagined us locking lips (and more) in his apartment to mellow music. ‘Are you driving home?’

‘God no, I’ve booked into a hotel in Kingsbridge.’

‘Ah.’ Sensible, really. And at least I didn’t have to offer him a bed at home. That would have been a bit awkward.

He cast his eyes around, and I was wondering whether he was building up to asking me back to his room, and what I would say if he did, when he said, ‘Once I retire, I’d quite like to move to the seaside. Somewhere with clean air.’ He breathed deeply, inflating his lungs to maximum capacity.

‘That won’t be for a while yet,’ I said, shivering slightly.

‘I’m hoping it’ll be when I’m forty-five, so not that far away.’

I’d almost forgotten he earned the sort of salary most people only dreamt of. ‘Wouldn’t you be bored?’

‘I’m sure I’d find plenty do, with the right person by my side.’ His light-hearted tone was undercut with sincerity.

Was he talking about me? Rubbing my upper arms, I said quickly, ‘That unfinished business you mentioned. What if it’s actually finished?’

‘I guess that’s what I’m here to find out.’ He stopped, and we turned to face each other once more. The breeze tugged at my hair, and the tip of my nose felt frozen. Behind Adam, the sea glittered like mercury beneath the moonlight. ‘I never said it before, but when you pushed your card in my pocket that day and asked me to call you, and gave me that cute little wink, it was like a breath of fresh air.’

Wow! I’d never been called a breath of fresh air before. Or cute.

‘No one does things like that, especially on the Underground. And I only took the train that day because the Alfa was in for a service.’ He was talking about his Alfa Romeo, which he’d seemed inordinately fond of. ‘It felt then like it might mean something, and I know you felt it too.’ His gaze sought mine. ‘You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met before.’

My mind flashed back to our first date.

It isn’t only old men who carry wallets, he’d said, rummaging in his jacket pocket and pulling one out.

Nice, I’d said, hoping the pinkish lighting in the restaurant would hide the worst of my blushes. I bet you own some sheepskin slippers too.

He’d laughed at that. Seriously, he’d said. Don’t ever become a pickpocket, you’d be terrible at it.

He was smiling affectionately at me now, as if reliving the same moment.

‘We don’t really know each other,’ I said. ‘Not properly.’

He spread his arms wide, his coat gaping to reveal his crisp white shirt underneath. ‘Like I said, that’s why I’m here. Oh, and to tell you about a job you might be interested in.’

My head jerked up. ‘What?’

He planted his hands in his pockets. ‘My sister has this friend, she’s a luxury wedding planner, expanding into corporate and private events, and she’s looking for someone to take over the wedding side of things.’ He paused. ‘I know you’ve said you’d like to be your own boss, but you’d have an assistant, and you’d be the one in charge,’ he said, as if that might be the reason I hadn’t already snapped his arm off or started doing star jumps.

The truth was, I’d always found weddings the most stressful of all events. Nina had enjoyed them, but being responsible for arranging the happiest day of someone’s life had given me violent headaches. I’d even thrown up on a couple of occasions.

‘You’d be earning fifty grand a year, at least, though obviously you’d need to discuss that with Grace, but I’ve told her you’d be perfect for the job.’

Fifty grand a year? I felt like my heart was going to fly out of my throat.

‘And there’s an apartment that goes with the job; it’s above the premises in Mayfair so you’d be on site, as it were.’

Accommodation? I must be dreaming. ‘I’m, er, that’s… that’s a very generous offer.’

‘The company’s doing incredibly well,’ said Adam. ‘It’s been featured in Bride and Hello magazine and the Sunday Times.’

‘Gosh, that’s amazing.’ I’d never said gosh before. But then, I’d never had such an extraordinary offer. On that salary, I’d be able to afford my own place, never mind live in an ‘on site’ apartment. And I’d have an assistant, so I could take time off now and then. Go on holiday. A proper holiday, that didn’t involve work, so I could sightsee properly and not have to keep my phone switched on. I’d be able to update my wardrobe, and buy a new Kindle and smartphone. Treat my family. Buy tons of baby things for my unborn niece or nephew.

‘She specialises in destination weddings, so there’d be plenty of opportunities to travel abroad.’

A thought sliced through a swirling image of me in Tahiti, beaming with pride as a beautiful bride swayed down a petal-strewn aisle. ‘Your sister’s friend is Grace Dewsbury?’

He nodded. ‘You’ve met her?’

‘No, but we lost a client to her once,’ I said. ‘My boss was furious.’ I didn’t add it was because of me. That I hadn’t been able to secure the venue the client had wanted, because it was private property and not available for weddings.

‘I’ll take my business elsewhere then,’ she’d said, as if we hadn’t already sourced loads of suppliers, which I’d had to cancel, creating a tidal wave of venom from Carlotta.

‘She’s gone straight to the competition,’ she’d spat. ‘Grace whatsername in Mayfair.’ I had no idea how she’d found out. ‘You’re on a final warning, Cassie, I mean it this time.’ Even Nina had tried to tell her it wasn’t my fault, but she hadn’t listened.

I realised I was staring at Adam, who was looking at me with his nicely shaped eyebrows up, clearly wondering when the hugging and thanking was going to start, and excitement began to rise as I pictured being back in London – all those possibilities I’d once imagined would be a reality this time. And Adam – who thought we had unfinished business – would be there, too. ‘It sounds like an amazing opportunity,’ I said, a grin spreading over my face. ‘Can I think about it?’ A bead of sweat trickled down my back, even though it was cold.

‘Of course.’ If he was surprised, he was too polite to show it. ‘I imagine you’ll have plenty of other offers, after working at Five Star.’

I nodded. He obviously had a very good imagination.

Finally, he turned back in the direction we’d come. The café was in darkness now, etched black against the sky. ‘Hey, look at that.’ He was gazing off to the side, and I moved over to see him pointing at the cove below. Picked out in moonlight was a message in the sand, written with loops and embellishments inside an extravagant love-heart.

My heart gave a crazy thud. Danny likes Cassie. This was what he’d wanted me to see – why he’d wanted us to go for a walk.

‘Teenagers messing about,’ said Adam, sounding entertained, as though it had been written for his benefit. ‘Nice gesture though, for some lucky girl.’

‘Yes,’ I murmured. Soft waves were lapping up the beach, closing in on the loopy writing. Soon the words would be washed away, and the sand would be smooth again. Teenagers. Adam was right. It was a childish gesture, designed to pull at my heartstrings – the sort of thing a fifteen-year-old boy would do.

‘It looked like everyone was having fun up there.’ Adam was back on the path and I dragged my eyes from the beach, glad to be able to reference something ordinary. It was starting to feel like I was living someone else’s life.

‘It was fun,’ I said, patting my hair down and trying to appear normal. My nose was in danger of running and I gave a tiny sniff. ‘Small scale, obviously. Just keeping my hand in, really.’ Danny likes Cassie. I couldn’t get the image out of my head.

‘I admire that.’ Adam gave me a sideways look as we traced our footsteps back to the café. ‘I could tell when we met that you’re someone who knows what they wants and goes for it. In case you hadn’t guessed, I like that in a woman.’

I felt a knee-jerk irritation that he’d read me all wrong. I’d acted on impulse that morning on the train, which wasn’t like me at all. Or was it? Maybe that was the real me.

‘How long are you staying for?’ I said, as we reached the car park and he stopped by a low-slung silver car with narrow windows.

‘I’ve a family party in London to get back for on Saturday evening, so I’ve got a couple of days.’ He smiled. ‘I can pop by tomorrow and see you in action.’

‘Action?’

‘Your cat day.’

‘Ah, yes.’ The bloody cats. I’d almost forgotten about them. Cats versus destination weddings. Tough choice. Hysterical laughter threatened, but I managed to swallow it down.

‘We’ll have forty-eight hours to get to know each other better,’ he said, and it was hard not to feel flattered by how delighted he sounded at the prospect. ‘I can’t wait.’

‘Me neither,’ I said, swept along by the heat in his eyes, and the touch of his fingers on my hand. ‘I’m so glad you’re here, Adam.’