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“Yes,” said Hannah with a laugh.

“They’re lovely, though, once you get used to them,” said Tom with a smile.

“They do seem to be,” admitted Hannah.

“I’m sure you’ll get the hang of spending time with them,” said Tom.

“You make it sound like I’m moving in,” said Hannah, sucking her cheeks in.

Tom pursed his lips for a moment. “Perhaps I’m being presumptuous, but my sense is that there’s something between you and Lottie. Something more than just a superficial spark.”

“What can I get you?” Emily’s request from behind the bar rescued Hannah from her reaction to Tom’s statement. She hadn’t expected him to be so direct.

Or so accurate.

Hannah hesitated, so Tom made the order and Hannah wordlessly handed over her credit card.

“I’m sorry if I’ve spoken out of turn,” said Tom.

“No,” said Hannah. “No, you haven’t. I just wasn’t expecting it.” She frowned.

“If you need to talk, I’m here,” said Tom, making Hannah wonder how on earth he seemed to have such a clear sense of what she was thinking.

Emily was busying herself with the drinks order. Hannah thought for a moment, then decided to dive in. “Well, I suppose the thing is that until not too long ago, I was married to a man. I’ve never had a relationship with a woman in my life. Never even thought about it. But…” She trailed off.

“But then you met Lottie. Or re-met her,” said Tom, corralling the drinks as they lined up.

“Yes,” said Hannah. It did seem to be as simple as that, in some ways. “But looking back, I wonder if there were other signs, too.”

Tom nodded, allowing her to complete her thinking aloud.

“My husband was a nice guy, but I never properly fancied him,” Hannah said, her eyes following along the different spirits lined up at the back of the bar. “God, that was an overshare.”

Tom shook his head and nodded at her to continue. So she did. “And I think maybe I used to have crushes now and then.” She put her head to one side. “But they weren’t like this.”

“Pounding heart, distracted, terrified?” Tom enquired.

“You really can read my mind,” said Hannah. “Sorry, I feel like I’m spilling my guts here.”

“Not at all,” said Tom, his dimples showing when he smiled. “I asked.”

“You’re very easy to talk to,” said Hannah, feeling her shoulders and her chest loosen.

“Thank you,” said Tom. “My advice, if you want it…” he looked to Hannah for permission to continue. She nodded. “Just do what feels right in your gut. Don’t worry too much about what this means, what label you might want to use. Just accept that you’ve met a good person, someone you care about, someone you’re attracted to. Accept that and go into it with an open heart.”

Hannah’s eyes widened at such sage advice from a man almost twenty years her junior. “Wise words, my friend.” She smiled, and tried her best to cast off the shackles of anxiety and dread that had plagued her for so long.

Back at the table, Tom gave Hannah a conspiratorial smile. “What have you two been plotting?” asked Zack.

Tom laughed and opened his eyes wide. “Who, me? Nothing. Now drink your wine.”

Zack kissed his boyfriend on the cheek and did as he was told.

“Everything OK,” whispered Lottie in Hannah’s ear.

“Fine,” squeaked Hannah, goosebumps breaking out down her neck at Lottie’s breath on her skin. She turned to look at Lottie, and could see worry in her eyes.

“I just wish there was more I could do to help,” said Lottie. “It’s such an awful position you’ve been put in.”