'Don't be daft,' she says, following his gaze. 'That'd be like you giving up cigarettes.' Never going to happen. And besides, what would she do at the pub if she gave up drinking?

'Ever since I was little, I've had a terrible sweet tooth. I'd eat a whole box of chocolates in one sitting, if I could. Mother always told me that I'd ruin the taste, by making it common. I never understood that. I can't imagine getting bored of eating chocolate.'

And now she's babbling. Fantastic. Her lips thin as she consciously clamps down on her runaway tongue.