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Caleb had wondered what she’d think of the travel arrangements. Most of the crew that weren’t local had flown direct to the Gold Coast or Brisbane. But he’d decided to drive instead. He’d suggested to Jackson that he could drive Hannah as well, to save on the costs of adding her to the crew. Not that he didn’t believe she was worth the extra cost – but it had seemed like the obvious solution at the time.

At least until he’d confessed to recognising her and suggested a casual fling.

‘Yeah, we need to be in the Gold Coast in three days.’ Hannah nodded, a pink blush highlighting her cheekbones. ‘Are you okay driving us all that way? Australia’s a big country. A flight would be much quicker.’

‘You’re welcome to get a flight,’ Caleb said with a shrug, although he’d really hoped she’d join him for the drive. ‘I’m happy to take your luggage for you, save you stowing it. But I’m still going to drive. I prefer it, and I’d like to see a bit of the country. I don’t know about you, but the idea of getting on another plane breaks me out in hives. Besides, for the studio and location shoots, I’ve got to drive around a lot anyway, so it makes more sense to hire a car.’

‘It’s a long drive to the Gold Coast,’ she said quietly, and he wondered if she was worried about being alone with him.

‘If you’d rather fly, I can arrange that for you. It’s no problem – and won’t cost you anything.’ He’d pay for the flight himself if it reassured her. They stopped to let someone with a baby in a buggy pass, and he took the opportunity to touch her arm gently, as he said, ‘No pressure either way. I’d love your company – as a friend, but if you’re uncomfortable being alone with me for any reason, I completely understand.’

Immediately, she shook her head, and they carried on walking. ‘No, don’t worry, it’s nothing like that. And you’re right, I can’t face another flight either, and I’d love to see some of the coast – there’s meant to be loads of cute towns along the way. Plus, I can take most of my stuff with me. Which I’ll be glad of, considering this job is going to be at least a couple of months.’

‘Awesome,’ Caleb agreed with a nod, feeling as if four hundred pounds had been lifted from his shoulders.

‘Almost there.’ Hannah took out her phone and began checking the details of her booking – she really liked to plan ahead. But he found her methodical nature oddly calming, whereas in the past he’d found it irritating – probably because it had highlighted his own chaotic mind. Now, he was more than happy to let others lead the way when it came to organising things; that way, he could enjoy the ride.

Surfers in wetsuits and hipsters in bare feet strolled along the street without a care in the world. Hannah’s mouth quirked with a half-smile as an old guy with sun-baked skin, wearing nothing more than tiny red swimmers and a big floppy fishing hat, shuffled past with his board. Caleb could see the full measure of the man they were so tight.

‘It’s around the corner,’ Hannah said, and they walked out from the side street onto the sweeping road overlooking iconic Bondi Beach. Turquoise, foaming water crashed in rippling waves on the crescent moon of golden sand. Buildings, cars and cafés crowded up to the curved road that separated the beach from the rest of the city.

Mellow indie rock music was playing from a car radio nearby and the café Hannah had booked was very busy. The outside tables were full of customers, and wobbling plates of delicious food were being ferried out by casually dressed waiting staff from the kitchen.

Caleb’s mouth watered when a massive slab of French toast, smothered in vanilla ice cream and a thick salted caramel sauce, sailed past. If Hannah kept taking him to places like this, he’d have to train triple the number of hours to be physically ready for filming. Although he was beginning to think it might be worth it.

They were taken to their table, which was placed beside open window shutters and had an uninterrupted view of the bay.

‘So, why haven’t you come here before?’ he asked, remembering she’d said it was a place she wanted to try.

‘I’ve been meaning to…’ She paused, and the pink blush popped up once more on her cheekbones. ‘I didn’t want to come on my own.’

He glanced around at all the couples and friendship groups, nobody was sat alone, and he wondered if Hannah was lonely. Her aunt had mentioned her being sadder since her cousin had left, and the only photos on Hannah’s profile where she was genuinely smiling were the ones interspersed with a woman who looked like a young Aunt Sal.

‘I get that,’ he said, unsure if she wanted to talk about it or not, especially as she refused to meet his eyes.

‘I love spring here,’ she said, obviously wanting to change the subject.

He frowned for a minute, confused, and then nodded. ‘Ah yeah, southern hemisphere, so it’s spring, not autumn here, right?’

‘Correct.’ She smiled warmly, and he felt as if he’d passed an algebra test. She handed him a menu, and he struggled to decide between the French toast and the healthier choice of a poke bowl.

‘What are you getting?’ he asked, and she bit her lip. His hunger transformed into something far more sensual, and he had to forcibly lower his gaze back to the menu.

‘People come here for the Japanese French toast, and it looks amazing. But I’m not sure I can eat a whole one, plus it’s not really a lunch dish, if you know what I mean…’

His stomach swerved back to the lead of his carnal appetites. ‘Great! Order one of those as well as a savoury dish, and I’ll eat what you can’t finish. I’m going for the salmon poke bowl.’

Hannah chuckled, closing the menu. ‘Good plan. I’ll go for a chicken wrap – I think they’re slightly less huge than the bowls.’

He nodded, but he was a little curious about her eating habits. She’d been so restrictive as a teenager. ‘Not a fussy eater anymore?’ he asked casually, hoping that he didn’t offend her with the observation.

There was a moment of tense silence, before she said firmly, ‘It was never about being a fussy eater. I had an eating disorder.’

He nodded slowly with understanding and felt like a complete jerk for not being more sensitive about bringing it up. However, if she were going to be so open and honest, the least he could do was not pretend like he hadn’t known. ‘I’m sorry. But I’m glad you feel confident enough to talk about it now. If that makes sense?’

Hannah smiled, and the tension broke. ‘It does. At the time, I was struggling with the pressure of exams, and my mum was going through her second cancer diagnosis. She’d had breast cancer when I was little and then developed ovarian when I was thirteen. The treatments lasted for years and were very intense. At times, we weren’t sure if she was going to make it. I became obsessed with healthy eating and took it too far. I think I wanted control over something – at least that’s what my therapist said. That, combined with toxic diet culture, didn’t help.’

She spoke so impassively about what must have been a horrible time in her life that he wasn’t entirely sure what to say. A waitress came to take their order and Hannah rattled off her choices and then looked expectantly at him.