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…before “Baby Shark” began to play.

‘Shit!’ Rocco got his phone out and skipped the track, which was possibly the most annoying and least appropriate background music. He’d already made a fool of himself in front of Alison many times, he didn’t need ‘Baby Shark’ as his soundtrack for whatever was about to unfold.

‘Babies’ by Pulp started up.

‘I wanted to see how you were after the other day,’ Alison said.

Rocco looked down at the table with the leftover food. ‘Ah, yeah…’

‘I really felt for you. I couldn’t make eye contact with you in case I burst out laughing.’

He looked up at her. ‘You thought it was funny?’

‘Yes. Does that make me a bad person? Just moments after telling me how you’d changed, she came in with that bombshell. It was perfect comedy timing.’

Rocco gave a slightly embarrassed laugh.

‘And poor Mr Henderson! He only came in for his deep heat rub but heard you telling me to think of you while I was in the bath. We’ll be the talk of the bowling club.’

‘Sorry.’

Alison laughed.

‘You’re not horrified?’

‘What, because you’ve got a past?’ She shrugged. ‘We’ve all got a past. And as for the other things Will was saying… So, you like nice clothes? And good food and wine? I’d say that was refined taste rather than snobbishness.’ She moved closer to Rocco, reaching across him to pluck a grape from the bunch on the fruit platter. ‘I like fine dining and opera. Usually not together though. It’s rude to sing with my mouth full.’

Rocco laughed.

‘The bubble bath is gorgeous, thank you. And I did think of you when I was using it.’ She popped the grape into her mouth.

Rocco swallowed. Okay, that was quite flirtatious. He might as well push his luck, he thought as he reached into the ice bucket and found a bottle of champagne he’d put on ice if anyone fancied something other than the alcohol-free kind. ‘Drink?’

‘Lovely, thank you.’

Rocco opened the champagne, pouring two glasses. In for a penny, he thought…

‘Would you like to go out with me sometime?’ he asked as he handed her one of the glasses. Although his voice was neutral, his heart hammered wildly. What if he’d misread her signals?

‘On a date?’

‘Yes, on a date.’

Alison pulled out a barstool and sat on it. ‘I’m willing if you are.’

Rocco smiled in relief and delight. They chinked their glasses together, not breaking eye contact. And that was fine with Rocco as it meant he could look into her lovely hazel eyes. And Rocco noticed that as well as her nose, Alison also had a smattering of freckles at the tops of her cheeks too.

‘You’re not put off with my dating history?’

‘Going for airheads? Never seeing anyone for more than three dates?’

‘Will’s being a little judgemental, but essentially, yeah.’

‘Well, I’m not an airhead, so I’m not worried. I also have an admission.’ Alison played with the stem of her glass. ‘I’m not perfect either.’ She laughed and held the palm of her hand up. ‘No really, I’m not! I can be a little judgemental. Instantly dismissing someone if I think they’re not at first glance what I would consider ideal. I tend not to look any deeper and rule people out instantly.’

‘Like if they use special filters for water?’

She looked slightly sheepish. ‘Guilty.’