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Robbie just shakes his head, like I’m a naive child who doesn’t understand how the world works. And maybe I am. But I’d rather be naive than give up on someone I care about.

My eyes catch on an official-looking envelope on the table. I reach for it before Robbie can stop me.

“Cat—” he starts, but I’m already pulling out the letter.

It’s a fixed penalty notice from the Scottish Safety Camera Programme. The details jump out at me: Robbie was caught doing seventy-eight on a road with a sixty limit. Hundred pound fine. Three points on his licence.

“Talk about kicking me when I’m down, eh?” Robbie says with a hint of his usual dry humour. “Remember I said I thought I might’ve been caught by one of those mobile speed vans?”

I do remember, and this couldn’t have come at a worse time. We’re trying to prove he’s a changed man, and while a speeding ticket isn’t theft, it doesn’t scream model citizen either.

“A hundred pounds?” I scoff. “Please. I happen to know what your day rate is, and that’s hardly going to bankrupt you. Besides, if necessary, I’ll just break something else in my flat for you to fix.”

A ghost of a smile touches his lips.

“Seriously, Robbie, forget the speeding ticket—that’s nothing. And as for the theft charge, listen to me: you are not going to jail for something you didn’t do. I won’t let that happen.”

“Oh, aye? Are you going to flash your teacher badge at the judge and give me detention instead of prison?”

I set the letter down and move around the table, taking the chair next to him instead. Robbie watches me warily, like he’s not sure what I’m up to.

“You know what I think?” I slide my hand onto his thigh.

“I’m guessing you’re about to tell me.”

“I think you need a distraction.” My hand inches higher. “Something to take your mind off all this, even if it’s just for a wee while.”

Robbie catches my wandering hand before it reaches his crotch. “Cat, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’m not exactly in the mood.”

I lean in and press a soft kiss to the stubble along his jaw. “Are you sure? Because I can be very persuasive.”

“I’m sure.” He gently pushes me back. “This isn’t something we can just shag away, and believe me, I wish it were. If sex solved everything, my troubles would have buggered off years ago.”

I sigh dramatically and flop back in my chair. “Fine. But in that case, I’ve got another idea.”

“God help me.”

“Let’s go riding.”

“Oh. Aye, that’s fine. We can hit the road, and⁠—”

“No, not on your bike, silly.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Wait, do you mean on a horse?”

“No, a unicorn. Of course a horse! I went on your bike, now it’s your turn to try something new.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Come on! It’ll be good for you. The smell of the stables, the way a horse seems to know what you’re thinking before you do . . .”

“The broken neck when I inevitably fall off?”

Laughing, I loop my arm through his and give his biceps a wee squeeze. “I won’t let that happen. I promise.”

“Cat, I’ve never been on a horse in my life.”

“And today we’re going to fix that.” I give his arm another squeeze then rise from my chair and try to haul him up with me. He doesn’t so much as budge, no matter how hard I tug. “Please? For me?”